Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Kay Arthur
It’s as Good as Done
When God determines to do something, it’s as if it’s already done. God even speaks of things that do not yet exist as though they already do, and really, they do, because whatsoever God decrees or prophecies to come to pass, will come to pass, and nothing and no one can stop it. The Apostle Paul wrote about our security in Christ and said God has “raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6), and the reason He does this, is so “that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7). We’re as good as seated in the “heavenly places,” right now, “in Christ Jesus.”
The Bad for Good
Joseph is a great example of evil being used for God. Joseph’s brothers were very cruel to him, and at one point, they tried to kill him, so they sold him into slavery, but when Joseph’s brothers finally discovered their brother was still alive, he told them, “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Gen 50:20). Joseph didn’t deny that what they did was evil; he only shows that God can even use evil for good.
Having a Purpose
I have talked with quite a few people who were in a deep, dark night of the soul. They felt their life was over and that they had nothing more to give to God. It was sometimes, literally, “God, take me home, I’m done,” but as long as a person is alive, God is not finished with them. God can use their pain to minister to others who are where they are now. God never wastes suffering. There is purpose in pain.
Conclusion
We can give thanks in all things because we have all things in Christ; all things important anyway, like our sins are forgiven, our place in the heavenly is set, and our eternity is not far away. Try to see God’s sovereignty in everything that happens, and even in the worst of all things, the best of all things will come (Rom 8:28). Just look at the cross (John 3:16).
