Dearly Beloved,
WHEN EVIL IS THOUGHT AGAINST YOU
“As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring
about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day” (Genesis
50:20, AMP).
The Bible in many places states that the hearts of men are evil (see Genesis
6:5; 8:21; Job 15:14-16; Psalm 51:5; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 9:3; Jeremiah 17:9;
Matthew 15:19). With cause or without cause, evil thoughts are planned against
other people. People have suffered, and are still suffering, from such evil
thoughts perpetrated in the hearts of men. However, most of these evil thoughts
and suffering are for the good of those that love God. On most occasions, God
permits those evil thoughts to happen against His loved ones to bring out His
best in them. This has been one of the problems of evil on earth. The
antagonists of the Bible, and even of God, are ready to point out this.
Nevertheless, the life history of Joseph gives a clue to this. The elder
brothers of Joseph hated him because of the love of their father for him and
because of his dreams. When they had the opportunity, they planned to kill him
so that his dreams would not be fulfilled. They later changed their minds and
sold him into slavery in Egypt. In Egypt, Joseph was imprisoned because of the
evil thoughts of the wife of his master. Even when the opportunity came for him
to be freed from the prison, the person that ought to help him did not remember
him. However, at God’s appointed time, he rose to prominence. His brothers
became his subjects. In spite of the fact that Joseph had forgiven them, their
consciences did not. They needed the assurance of Joseph’s forgiveness. So, in
their deceit, they sent a message to Joseph to remind him of their father’s plea
on their behalf. Joseph was sad that his brothers had not forgiven themselves.
In response, he
explained to them that their evil thoughts against him were actually God’s good
plan for his life and the relief of many souls.
Are you suffering because of the evil thoughts of some people? Endure the
suffering. God is working through the suffering to bring out the best out of
you. When Joseph was passing through all his hardships, he did not know that it
was for his good, but later, he knew. Apostle Paul assured, “And we know that
God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those
who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NASB). Therefore, when
evil is thought against you, or even when evil happens to you, God wants to
bring something better out of it. That best thing will soon happen in your life
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

+234 805 515 9591

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I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will

have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted

in my body, whether by life or by death. FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST

AND TO DIE IS GAIN (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV).




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