When Bad Is Good

1 Thessalonians 2:18-19, “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
In Paul’s writings to the churches we see a man who defied not only the religious crowd of his day he also defied the devil. When you hear that a child of God, epically one like Paul, was hindered by Satan does that disturb you? How could a man so great as Paul be hindered by the devil? After all he was doing God’s work so how could Satan hinder him? Well let us remember nothing happens without God’s knowledge or consent. The Lord can take any deed, whether of Satan or of man and turn it around for His own purposes and glory. A great example of that is how the devil hindered Paul and kept him from visiting the church at Thessalonica this has resulted in him writing a letter which has turned into a book of the New Testament; a book that has brought great benefit and comfort to Christians down through the centuries.
I am also reminded of something Joseph told to his brothers who had sold him into slavery. Remember they were afraid he would seek revenge on them now that he was a powerful man in Egypt. In Genesis 50:20 we find Joseph’s words, “And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
What a comfort to know that nothing happens that is not in God’s will. He is all knowing and all wise and all powerful. Under God’s control, evil can be turned around to accomplish His good and purpose. Even the darkest storm has a silver lining in God’s eyes. We should all then pray and give thanks that God is in control and His will be done, even when we can’t see how good can come from anything evil. Remember God has never lost a battle with Satan and He is not about to start.
God can bring showers of blessings out of storms of adversity.