God can turn curses into blessings... For example, Joseph was blessed despite the ill-will of his brothers: You devised evil against me, but God devised it for good (Gen. 50:20). Note that the same Hebrew verb (חשׁב) is used to describe both the evil intent of the brothers and the good intent of the Lord. This teaches us that God overrules the malice of men to effect his own purposes, and therefore we can rightfully affirm gam zu ltovah (גַּם זוּ לְטוֹבָה), this too is for good (Rom. 8:28). Underlying the surface appearance of life (chayei shaah) is a deeper reality (chayei olam) that is ultimately real, abiding, and designed for Gods redemptive love to be expressed. Resist the temptation, therefore, to judge by appearances. Forbid your troubles to darken the eye of faith. Do not unjustly judge Gods purposes or try to understand His ways. As the story of Balaam shows, God makes even the wrath of man praise Him (Psalm 76:10). Then God opened Balaams eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה) standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down... (Num. 22:31). Indeed, every knee will bow to the LORD our God and Savior (Isa. 45:22-23; Phil. 2:10-11).
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 07:57:29 +0000
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