And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
God works in and through the difficulties and problems that confront you in ways unknown to you. You only realize later on, in retrospect, how God was actually working in your situation.
That was true of a young man whose jealous half-brothers wanted to kill him and make his death look like an accident. That’s when an older brother with more sense pleaded for his life. “There’s no need to kill him to get rid of him,” said Judah. “We can sell him to slave-traders.”
Joseph didn’t understand what was happening when he was sold into slavery, but God did. Joseph might have brought some of his problems on himself, yet as part of God’s design, he was to become the prime minister of Egypt. When famine later struck his homeland, he was in a position to save his brothers’ lives.
If you had God’s perspective, if you could see the end of the dark tunnel of your life as He does, how different would the trials and difficulties of life appear? Nahum, the 6th century BC prophet, wrote, “The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble. And He knows those who take refuge in Him” (Nahum 1:7 nasb). Notice that he makes three statements: First, God is good – not an impotent, disinterested deity out there somewhere. He then says that in the day of trouble, God is a stronghold. He uses a military word that means an armed fortress, a place of safety where your enemies can’t get to you.
Then he ends by saying that God knows those who trust in Him. David affirmed the same truth when he wrote, “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling” (Psalm 27:5).
“I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints – but let them not return to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps. Psalm 85:8-13