Evil & Good
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I have often heard people ask,
“Why do good people die?”
It a question I have often asked too. But I have observed a greater mystery in life; that some really good people, who we expect to get good in return, rather suffer evil. It is a great mystery!
Let us examine one such story in John 11:43-51.
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them,
“Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
“What are we accomplishing?”
they asked.“Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”
Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up,
“You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.
So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
(John 11:43-51 NIV)
This is one story that started on a hopeful note, but ended tragically when Lazarus died (John 11:1-3,17). But Jesus performed a miracle to bring hope back to this family that he loved so much. Everyone would think that the miracle would bring joy to all, but some went to tell the Pharisees what had happened. The chief priests and the Pharisees then called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. They concluded they had to kill Jesus, and started the plot. Their concern? Jesus was performing many signs and everyone would believe Him; and when that happens, the Romans would take away their place of power in the affairs of Israel!
But while the chief priests and Pharisees were planning evil, God was also unfolding His divine purpose for Jesus to die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God; to bring them together and make them one.
God’s original intention was for everything to be good (Genesis 1:31), but since evil entered the earth, God has found a way of using everything — both evil and good — to fulfill His purpose.
We may despair when we see good people die, and bad things happen to good people. Why that happens, we may never know.
But one thing we can be sure of is that, whether good or evil, God would use it for His divine purpose. And to partake in, and support this divine purpose, we can say;
“Not my will, but yours be done.”
MEMORY VERSE
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
(Luke 22:42)
QUESTIONS
Have you wondered why evil happens to good people?
Do you know that God fulfills His purpose, whether in good or evil?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help me to see Your divine purpose in everything that happens in my life; whether good or evil.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.
Then develop your new relationship
with God through your Quiet Time.
Then find a Bible-Believing Church
where you can Fellowship with like
minded people.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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