Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Genesis 50:20 – God Intended It For Good – Growing As Disciples
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
Preparation
Well, this life has been no cake walk. What do you mean by that? This life has not been easy. How so? I have suffered significant setbacks, great defeats and miserable trials. I’m not complaining. I’m not venting. I am merely observing. I see. What have you also observed? There have been times that I thought I was all alone in my setbacks, defeats and trails. There have been times I have wondered when and if you would help me. There have been times I have questioned when you would come to my aid and answer my cries for help. Why are you merely observing? Why aren’t you complaining? Why aren’t you venting? I see things quite differently now. How so? I have been quite mistaken. I have surely been wrong. You have never left me all alone. You have always been with me to help me. I could see no purpose or plan or reason for my setbacks, defeats and trials. I couldn’t fathom how you could ever use the bad things that were happening to me for any good purpose or plan. Yet, that is exactly what you have done. Let’s talk more about that. I’d like that.
How have I been able to use the setbacks, defeats and trials you have gone through in life? You have developed my character and strengthened my faith in every difficulty you have led me through. You have used every trying circumstances to mold and shape me into the person you have wanted me to become. You have been preparing me for the work you have given me to do. You have had purposes and a plan I could not see. Even now, I don’t see your purposes and plan perfectly. I could not then and cannot now know how you plan to fully use me. But, I can see enough to know that nothing I have gone through has gone to waste. I know that you have not been the author of any of my pain and suffering. You have not brought difficulties on me. This sin broken world brings these in abundance to us all. But, not only am I not complaining or venting I am just the opposite. How so? I am thankful beyond measure for how you have been, are now, and will be working in and through my life. So, I welcome you to continue your work. Help me to know you and your purposes and plan for my life. I am thankful that my life is in your hands. I am grateful for your incredible goodness to me. It is my desire to love you with all my heart and soul and strength. It is my hope to be fully used by you. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is very good. Keep on working in and through my life. Yes, I will. You can be sure of that.
Lord, I have suffered significant setbacks, great defeats and miserable trials. Sometimes, I have wondered where you were. Sometimes, questioned when and if you would help me. Now, I can clearly see that you have been with me to help me all along. Amen
Key Question… When have you wondered how the Lord would work good out of something bad that had happened to you?
Living It Out… Look back over your life to see how God has been able to use something bad to accomplish something good in your life.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will be able to use what seems bad to you for His good purposes and plan for your life.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has used what seemed bad to you for His good purposes.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you have faith to believe that the Lord will use what seems bad to you for His good purposes and plan.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Faith – Genesis 50-20 – God Intended It For Good – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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