Sometimes even the worst situations work out for the best.

Joseph assured his brothers (after they sold him into slavery and later found themselves totally in his power) you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.

The good in this case meant that Joseph provided for his brothers and his father and their families for the next several years of famine. All would have starved had not the Lord used an evil situation for the good of all. From his perspective, Joseph saw everything clearly.

Which makes me wonder—what types of situations am I suffering through, or watching others suffer through, that might actually be intended for good?

I can only wait and endure and trust. It’s hopeful to remember that perhaps the Lord has more in mind than I realize.

Genesis 45 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jon Tyson

Turn on a game in the midst of the NFL playoffs (which I watch religiously) and the screen fills with zealous fans. Faces painted in team colors, elaborate outfits and loud cheering fills vast stadiums. All to support their favorites. In current culture, it’s acceptable to be zealous for sports.

Paul wrote on this topic—It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good…

Hmmm…I wonder if the NFL passes this test? I’m not sure much of what I tend to approach with rabid enthusiasm squeaks by. Chocolate? Coffee? Mexican food? Sports of all sorts?

Paul wrote to church members in Galatia who wrestled with their understanding of the gospel. These good people were in danger of abandoning the good news as taught by Paul and Jesus before him, and Paul spoke unfiltered into their issues. You foolish Galatians!

Zealous for gospel truth? Absolutely. We should watch our life and doctrine closely as Paul later reminded Timothy.

Zealous for football? Not as clear. But Paul wrote about sports—athletes competing to win and buffeting their bodies—so he paid attention. Which makes me think Paul would be fine settling in on the couch with a plateful of nachos and enjoying the big game.

Galatians 4 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Adrian Curiel

At times the Scriptures come across as complex, with meanings deeper than my simple mind comprehends. But in other places its clarity strikes at me, like Paul’s hard edge on how we live in this world.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

No one fools the Lord. I may lack integrity in my finances, or develop private viewing habits appealing to my flesh, or act nice to my neighbors but despise them in my heart. I can do all that and appear as big-hearted as the next guy. But in doing so I’m attempting the impossible—I’m mocking the Lord and his ways.

On the other hand, I may quietly sow the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. If I ask for guidance, learn to listen, and follow his promptings, a fresh, vibrant life opens to me—a life eternal.

Sowing and reaping, I see it all around me. It’s the way God created the world to work. Don’t give up. Keep sowing to the good. Eventually the promised harvest bears fruit. Do not be deceived—life works no other way.

Galatians 6 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Markus Spiske

Sometimes, out of the blue, a terrible announcement comes that upends the lives of everyone involved. The unfortunate people of Ukraine, invaded by Russia, are a recent example. Guilty of nothing except being good neighbors, they today endure tragedy, struggle and hardship.

The descendants of Abraham living in Egypt received such an announcement. As their population grew, the king feared an uprising. He discussed the problem with his advisors. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.

His idea? Enslave and oppress the Israelites. Put them to hard labor and work them ruthlessly.

I wonder how the announcement took place? Did rumors swirl first? Or did bands of soldiers enter the Israeli villages and herald the change out of the blue? How did the men feel? The wives and mothers and children? Certainly hearts sank and fears multiplied.

Eventually Pharaoh’s plan backfired when Moses, led by the Lord, walked out of Egypt at the head of the oppressed. But that came years later. Moses was not even born when this proclamation boomed out. At the time, little hope existed. People clung only to old stories about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and a promised land.

Terrible announcements come swiftly, with no foreseeable hope. In such situations we can only cling to the Lord and pray his plan, as we read in the old stories, is still in the works.

Exodus 1 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Hussain Badshah