As I have been writing my story this past year I have seen a theme run throughout my life. It is a theme that I believe has been running through life since the beginning of time; a theme that I find fascinating, that if you choose to believe and embrace will be life changing. The theme, “What Satan meant for harm, God intended for good, and for the salvation of many,” comes from a quote from Joseph in the Book of Genesis. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and wanted to kill him. Instead they sold him to slave traders. Years later Joseph rose to second in command and when reunited with his family his brothers feared revenge. This was Joseph’s response…
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20
Realizing this truth requires an understanding of who God is and of who you are based on what God says. Living it out requires belief and trust in the unconditional love of God and listening to His voice of truth rather than in experiences and feelings based on the voice of the liar. Understanding and living by this truth will not remove difficulties from life, but will enable you to go through difficulties with a different perspective that will develop character, bring spiritual maturity, and open doors to the fulfillment of dreams. Your beliefs determine your direction.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4
My story includes many experiences when I didn’t recognize the truth of this theme. Many times I responded to situations by listening to the wrong voice and experienced the harm meant for me by the enemy of my soul. That harm was meant to steal, kill, and destroy me, but it was those very strategies against me that brought me to the end of self. End of self provides the opportunity to believe for the beginning of new life. It was in that dark night that God’s light flooded my soul. His unconditional love and grace washed over my wandering heart with these four words, “God is for you!”
As I traveled through life I have come to realize that believing this truth, never doubting that “God is for you,” has been my anchor, has been my stronghold, has been what has enabled me to face the troubles that came my way, and to trust that God will work all things together for my good, and for the salvation of many.
I hope you will join me on my weekly blogs to be encouraged by the truth that “God is for you!” and to read the ways this theme is demonstrated in the Bible, and in life today, what Satan meant for harm, God intended for good, for the salvation of many!
Blessings on your journey through life – Wilma Cordes
Contact me – isaiah251@aol.com