God Meant it Unto Good

Genesis 50:20

Introduction:

     A. Have you ever wondered why God has let something bad happen to you?

      B. Imagine how Joseph must have felt as his brothers pulled him out of the pit to sell him as a slave

      C. Yet, years later Joseph looked back and said, “God meant it unto good”

      D. There are some great lessons we can learn by looking at the life of Joseph (Gen. 37-50)

  I. Bad things happen to good people

      A. Joseph was a God fearing person

      B. This did not keep bad things from happening to him

      C. Job says, “Yet man is born unto trouble” (Job 5:7)

      D. God may allow bad things to happen that the latter may be good Deut. 8:15-16

 II. God is present in turbulent times

      A. God was present in the pit, the house of Potiphar, and the prison

      B. Joseph retained his faith in God at all times

      C. God will deliver the righteous Psalm 57:1-3; Isa. 25:4

      D. God has promised to never leave you Hebrews 13:5, 6

III. God knows His Purpose, Even When We Do Not

      A. Joseph unknowingly played a vital role in the salvation of the world

            1. Through him, God preserved the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel

            2. God worked through the Jewish nation to bring salvation in Christ John 4:22

      B. This would not come about until hundreds of years later

      C. His suffering brought about some good things:

            1. He was blessed – He became the second most powerful man in Egypt

            2. His family was blessed - Joseph was able to save his father and brothers from starvation

            3. A nation was blessed – God worked through Joseph to save Egypt from famine

            4. A nation was born – God’s chosen people became a great nation through the suffering of Joseph

            5. A world was saved – The Jewish nation was prepared to bring about the salvation of the world

            6. God’s kingdom was established – We are here today as a result of how God worked through Joseph

      D. Chastening by God is a result of His love Heb. 12:6, 7

Conclusion:

      A. How is God working in your life?

      B. What blessings may come through you

Michael E. Grooms