Genesis 50:20
“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (NKJV)
Joseph—separated from his family because of his brothers’ jealousy, tossed in a pit, handed over to slave traders, sold as a slave, thrown into prison for years—looked back at it all years later and said, “It was all for good.” During that difficult time, God used Joseph to interpret a dream for Pharaoh and saved Egypt and many people from a serious famine. That pit stop and slave job were all steps in the process to save lives.
This verse reveals one of the most powerful truths in Scripture: what people mean for evil, God can mean for good. We need to look at the things that harm us and see them not for just the moment, but how they play out in the long run.
Joseph, lying in that pit, didn’t think, “Wow, this is going to turn out great!” Joseph, rotting in jail, didn’t think, “I bet I’m going to save lots of lives.” There is always purpose to the pain. What is that purpose? We probably don’t know at the time. We must trust at the time that God will use this tragedy somehow.
The evil that was done to Joseph was real evil. His brothers truly meant to harm him. But God was working a greater plan that Joseph couldn’t see from the bottom of the pit or from inside the prison cell. The same God who redeemed Joseph’s suffering can redeem yours.
This doesn’t minimize your pain or excuse the evil done to you. But it does mean that the harm isn’t the end of the story. God is still writing, still working, still turning what was meant for evil into something that accomplishes His good purposes.
When you’re in the pit or the prison—when you’re experiencing betrayal, injustice, or suffering—don’t expect to see the purpose immediately. You probably won’t. Trust that God is working even when you can’t see how this could possibly turn out for good.
Look beyond the moment. The pain you’re experiencing right now is real, but it’s not the whole story. Ask God to help you see your suffering not just as a painful present but as part of a longer journey that He’s using for purposes you don’t yet understand.
Remember Joseph’s example when you’re tempted to give up or become bitter. He didn’t know he’d become second-in-command of Egypt when he was enslaved. He didn’t know he’d save nations when he was in prison. He just remained faithful to God in each difficult circumstance, and God used it all for good.
Trust that God can redeem even the evil done to you. This doesn’t mean the evil was good or that God caused it. But it does mean that God is more powerful than the evil, and He can transform it into something that saves lives—maybe yours, maybe others’.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Joseph’s story and the powerful truth it teaches: what people mean for evil, You can mean for good. Lord, I’m in a difficult place right now. [Name your specific situation.] I feel like I’m in a pit or a prison. I don’t understand why this is happening or what possible good could come from it.
Help me to trust You even when I can’t see the purpose. I know Joseph didn’t see the big picture when he was enslaved or imprisoned. He just remained faithful to You, and You used it all to save many lives. Give me that same faithfulness when I can’t see how this could possibly turn out for good.
The evil done to me is real. The harm is real. The pain is real. I’m not minimizing any of that. But I choose to believe that You are more powerful than the evil, and that You can redeem even this for Your purposes. Help me to look beyond this moment and trust the longer story You’re writing.
Keep me from bitterness. Keep me faithful. And when the time is right, show me how You’ve used this tragedy for good—to save lives, to bring glory to Your name, or to accomplish purposes I can’t imagine right now. I trust You, even in the pit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.