Genesis 50:20 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. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Psalms 119:71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
Hebrews 12:10-11 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Genesis 37:4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Genesis 37:18-20 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.”
Psalms 56:5 All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil.
Genesis 45:5-8 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
Acts 2:23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Acts 3:13-15 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Is not God Sovereign? Is He not righteous? Is He not all powerful? Is He not loving? Is He not the author and finisher of life? Is He not all knowing? Does He not have plans and purposes for us? Is He not a place of refuge? Is He not a comforter? Is He not able to do more than we ask and can imagine? Is He not living water and bread of life to our soul? Has He not promised eternal life to those He loves and called according to His purpose and eternal death to those who do not? Has He not given great and many precious promises of hope to our soul? Has He not sent the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our paths? Does He not know the thoughts, intents and actions of man?
Why is it then that we think we will never fall on troubled times or be disciplined by Him? Why do we think, this side of eternity, we will have an easy go in life different from what all mankind face? Why do we think death and judgement will not reach us until another time? How do we expect our faith, worship, thankfulness and love for God to grow if there is no need for dependance upon Him? How do we expect to hear His whispers of guidance if we see no need for it? How do we expect to see His handiwork if there is no want or desire to see it? How are we to speak of His holiness if we never seek to understand it?
Why do we not seek His wisdom and understanding in all things? Why do we allow good times to lead us into complacency and neglect?
Trust, faith, hope, reliance and love come through knowing Him more and more each day through all of the trials, troubles, and easier times in life.
We do well to respond as David did; Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
