God is both sovereign and good.
The sovereignty of God is the “biblical teaching that God possesses all power and is ruler of all things (Ps. 135:6; Dan 4:34-35). God rules and works according to His eternal purpose, even through events that seem to contradict His rule” (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1523).
God alone is good, perfect in every way (Mk. 10:18). God’s goodness is demonstrated to us and the world in a variety of ways including; His actions (Ps. 119:68), His creation (1 Ti 4:4), His love (Ps. 86:5), His gifts (Jas. 1:17), His promises (Josh. 23:14-15), and in His commands (Ps. 119:39).
God is sovereign and good, yet He also uses evil for good.
First off, let’s be crystal clear, God is NOT the author of evil (Jas. 1:13-15). Although God is not the author of sin, He uses sin to accomplish His eternal purpose.
The fact that God uses sin and its effects for good does not diminish the reality that we experience suffering, pain, and mourning. We ought to lament as we experience or witness the negative impacts of sin.
As we lament the effects of sin, we must also remember that God uses evil to accomplish His sovereign purpose.
After being sold into Egyptian slavery by his brothers, God used Joseph to provide food for the world during the famine (Gen 41:57). Joseph’s brothers asked for forgiveness, and Joseph responded: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Gen 50:20). God used the enslavement of Joseph for the preservation of lives around the world.
As Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi, there was an earthquake that caused the prison doors to open and the bonds around each prisoner to unfasten (Acts 16:25-26). Consider the loss of life and immense damage this earthquake likely caused. But, God used this natural disaster to bring the Philippian jailer and his family to faith in Christ (Acts 16:27-34). Yes, God can even use a natural disaster to bring about His eternal purpose. How might God be using this global pandemic to bring about His eternal purpose?
God uses our trials to mature us to look more like Christ (Jas. 1:2-4; Rom. 5:3-5). God also disciplines His children in order that we might be more holy (Heb. 12:10). God uses even our sufferings for our good and to prepare us for eternal glory that awaits us (Rom. 8:28; 2 Cor 4:17). What trials and/or suffering are you experiencing and how might God use those to shape you?
On Good Friday the most despicable, vile, and evil act ever, was executed, but God used it to accomplish His eternal purpose (Acts 2:23-24). Jesus, the God Man, was sinless, yet He was condemned as a sinner and hung on a Roman cross. In His perfect life and crucifixion, He satisfied the wrath of God and made a way for sinners to be forgiven and made right with God. Praise Jesus for enduring the cross on Good Friday over 2,000 years ago to make a way for sinners to be saved!
God does use evil to accomplish His sovereign purpose.
Written by Jonathan Mitchell