When the devil plays into God's hands

My dad was talking along this line a few days ago and I wanted to share some of these thoughts that I picked up.

Most of us know the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers at a young age, ended up in jail though he was innocent, and eventually was made second in command over all the land of Egypt. God used him to save the lives of many, many people, including the lives of his brothers who had betrayed him. It's an amazing story that teaches many powerful lessons. I have always liked this story. 

I love what Joseph told his brothers in Genesis 50:20.

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

This verse ties right in with Romans 8:28.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

 It's so comforting to know that all things (that means even the bad things that happen) will work out for our good in the end! The enemy has tried so many times to ruin the work of God's hands, and also to hinder it from continuing; But somehow, the outcome is not always what satan is expecting. Rather, it is quite the opposite. What was satan thinking when he entered into Judas in Luke 22:3? Satan was behind the betrayal of Jesus. He was the puppeteer who controlled Judas. Satan wanted Jesus dead, but we all know his plans back fired. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and made a way for us into the holy of holies! If He had never died for us, there would be no way for us to be cleansed from our sins and filled with His Spirit! 

 Satan played right into God's hands. He meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. 

Satan must have felt pretty slick when he hindered Paul from visiting the Thessalonians. We know that he did hinder him, because Paul writes "Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us."  And because Satan hindered him from coming, he had to write. What did he write? First and second Thessalonians! Two books of our Bible we never would have had. I love some of these well know words he wrote: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Those words would have never been written. What great hope and comfort that passage has given to many. Once again, 

Satan played right into God's hands. He meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. 

So, when you're doing your best to serve God and things are not going the way that you had planned, remember that Joseph was betrayed, Jesus was crucified, Paul was hindered, but God meant it for God and always brought wonderful things out of the "bad" that was taking place. Whatever your situation, God is able to turn it around and make something beautiful.  

Stay encouraged!

 -Jen