When a person thinks of vandalism, they don’t often think of something good. I confess that good did not come to my mind early one morning last week. As I received a phone call letting me know of severe vandalism and burglary at the school, I quickly rushed over to find out the extent of damage and the ramifications for the school. After waiting several hours on the police to complete their investigation, I was finally able to see all the damage firsthand. I was very saddened by the malicious efforts of those who would seek to harm the school, but was soon reminded of the passage of Scripture from the life of Joseph that states, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.”
“God meant it unto good?” Seriously? How can God take something tragic and make it good? It does seem like quite a contradiction. In the life of Joseph, this truth is appropriately illustrated for us. Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob, was the favorite of the children. He had been given privileges that his brothers, who were significantly older than Joseph, had not been given. This set the stage for Joseph almost being murdered and sold into slavery as a teenage boy. After several years and through diverse circumstances, God saw fit to move Joseph from a slave, to a prisoner, to second in command in Egypt. Joseph, under God’s direction, saved the whole known ancient world from starvation in a severe famine. He came to a point in his life that he understood what God was doing and he could make this spiritually mature statement–”you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”
Who knows how God will use the destruction of multiple classrooms for good? God does. In many cases, He uses the sinful acts of people, like in Joseph’s case, to ultimately accomplish His plan. I don’t know what God has planned for ICA, but I do know this–He is working in it to accomplish His good.
For now, we covet your prayers not only for the school, but also for the individuals that were involved in this act. In God’s mercy, we pray that He will bring His justice to the situation. Our continuing prayer to God would be to not allow these individuals to get away with this sinful act, but to bring conviction to their hearts in hopes that they will turn to God in repentance and faith (Proverbs 28:13). For us, we are praying that we will continue to look to the Lord for His guidance and that we would trust Him implicitly in every situation. We also ask Him to teach us to be more like Him and that we would have hearts that would be willing to learn.
The text for one of my favorite songs, says it this way–07-in-all-things-god-works-for-our-good
And this we know in the journey of life, whether green rolling hills or the deserts bare and dry, in all things, God works for our God, for those who love the Lord.
In the lush verdant valleys where we walk sure and strong, or the rugged terrain unsafe and long, God has promised his help, “Fear not, I will guide you, take my hand for my promises are true.”
In the seasons of life times of joy or despair, victory and defeat. “I know the plans I have for you,” says your God. “Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope, and a future. Believe in Me. Trust in Me, for I am your God.”
May God receive the glory for all the good that He is accomplishing in us.
