This morning I read Psalm 6 by “mistake.” (I realized that only now as I typed the previous sentence!) According to my schedule, it was time to read Psalm 36. (October 6 is September 36, you know.)
Some verses seized my heart in this short Psalm, including these:
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak:
O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.My soul is also sore vexed:
but thou, O LORD, how long?Return, O LORD, deliver my soul:
oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed:
let them return and be ashamed suddenly.(Psalm 6:2-4,10)
Furthermore, something I read in the Psalm reminded me of this in the life of the Patriarch Joseph:
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.
(Genesis 50:20).
I had my computer Bible give me its cross references for that verse. Among its results, these two:
He sent a man before them, even Joseph,
who was sold for a servant:
(Psalm 105:17)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.
(Romans 8:28)
And that, my friend, is why I titled this post “When God Directs Evil” and used “The Sovereign One works with evil intent and deed to accomplish good” for the subtitle.
It isn’t that evil things naturally coordinate and cooperate with good as their objective. The Almighty One is so much so that He can even use evil to thwart its own objectives and bring about His own. Those who love God eventually experience good, even from evil inflicted on them.
On that I must rest. In faith. And confident expectation. Even in the middle of inflicted evil. Especially then.
Some other things I’ve written that pertain…
- Enemies? What Enemies?
- Where’s Grace?
- Love, Pray, and Do Good
- Making Peace With Meekness and Forgiveness
“…went and told Jesus” (Matthew 14:12).