"God Promises Goodness"

Part 3 of "Sweet Like Honey"

The BIG Idea:

Sometimes we are tempted to be discouraged because of what seems like wasted time, wasted opportunity, or wasted potential. However, God promises us that God will use all things in our lives to work out the plans of God. Nothing is wasted when God is involved because the goodness of God abounds!

¹⁸ Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." ¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? ²⁰ As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive. ²¹ So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. -- Genesis 50:18-21 (NASB)

A Prayer to Open the Message:

"God grant us the eyes to see your goodness in every situation of our lives. Grant us the faith to believe, you are a good, good Father."

Followers of Jesus must live by faith, walk by faith, and be willing to step out in faith.

God is working all things, even the hardest things, together for good.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. --Romans 8:28 (NASB)

God is at work in our families.

And you will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. --Matthew 10:22 (NASB)

God is at work in our employment and volunteerism.

And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to celebrate the Sabbath day. --Deuteronomy 5:15 (NASB)

If we are willing to believe that God will truly waste nothing, there is nothing that can hold us back from accomplishing God's plans and purposes here on earth.

God is at work in our Community of Faith.

*Satan will do anything possible to distract us from, and distort, God's truth, including the promise we are talking about today concerning the goodness of God.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. --John 10:10a (NASB)

I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. -- John 10:10b (NASB)

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,²¹ to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. -- Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB)

Make the choice to open our hearts and minds to the goodness of God.

 

Questions for Reflection:

Has there ever been a time in your life in which you were experiencing a tough situation, and you felt like God had left you? What did it feel like?

During that moment in which you felt abandoned, how did God remind you that God was present the entire time and provided for you?

Have you ever prayed a "dangerous prayer" on behalf of someone else so that God would do whatever was required to bring them to a genuine faith in Jesus?

What impresses you about the story of Joseph and his choice to forgive his brothers and see the goodness of God in a long and challenging situation?

Are you willing to shift your mindset to one as described in Romans 8:28?

Do you firmly believe in the goodness of God?