Death is not considered a pleasant subject. But God promises to bring good from it. A grieving
mother, for instance, took on the challenge to bring more stringent laws against drunk driving. Her efforts resulted in the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers campaign. Many widows are known to find healing and fulfillment when they help other grieving women.
God promises good out of other dire situations, too. For instance, people who lose their jobs go back to school and find better-suited occupations. Epidemics result in new cures. Catastrophes bring better warning systems. Inhumane treatment of people or animals encourages compassionate help and better laws. The Old Testament tells of Joseph who was abused and sold by his brothers, wrongly accused by a conniving woman and imprisoned. His faithfulness to God eventually brought him favor and riches. King David was maligned by his enemy, Shimei, who cursed him and threw stones at him. David’s servant insisted the many be killed, but David had a better idea. “It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and … repay me w
ith good for [Shimei’s] cursing this day. (2 Samuel 16:12) Even Job, the Old Testament man who was “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1), kept his faith in spite of his pain and suffering.
These stories may cause us to wonder why God appears to allow the good guy to suffer and let the bad guy get away with wrongdoing. The Bible tells us that God’s ways are higher than our ways. We can’t avoid rejection, pain, or death. But we don't want to face them with despair, self-pity, revenge, or blame. Instead, like Joseph and David and Job, we should want to go through adversity with hope and love for God, knowing He will bring good from the bad. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Lord, thank You for promising to bring good from evil. Give us a positive attitude of hope and
assurance when we face rejection, pain, or death. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Comments