Genesis 50:20, “ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…”

Consider Joseph.

His brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery, lying to their father that he had been slaughtered by a wild animal.

As a servant, Joseph prospered in the house of Potiphar for a time, but then Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of sexual assault. Joseph was imprisoned, unjustly punished for a second time.

He prospered again and was put in charge of the other prisoners. But then when the cupbearer was released, he forgot that Joseph’s interpretation of his dream came true and neglected to tell anyone of Joseph’s kindness or ability.

Two years later, Joseph is still in prison, and the cupbearer finally remembers Joseph when Pharaoh needs a dream to be interpreted. God gives Joseph the grace again to interpret what no one else could.

Joseph is then raised again to a position of power to prepare for the coming famine foretold by God in Pharaoh’s dream.

If anyone understands injustice, it’s Joseph.

Can you imagine the bitterness and hate that may have begun to creep in, and the desire for revenge against his brothers, Potiphar’s wife, and the cupbearer?

But this bitterness was not Joseph’s response.

During the years of famine, Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt for help. Long story short, Joseph helps his brothers and (after some testing to see if they have changed) reveals his identity to them. His family moves to Egypt so they can continue to be fed during the time of famine.

To Joseph’s brothers, it seemed that the only reason Joseph had shown mercy to them so far was for the sake of their father, who still lived. But in Genesis 50:15, they express fear – their father has died, and now they believe Joseph will require retribution.

If it were me or you in this situation, they may have been right – but not Joseph.

Genesis 50:19-20, “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.”

Joseph recognizes God’s good plan despite the many injustices that were done to him, and chooses to forgive his brothers and praise God for how He used the evil to produce many good things through him.

On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was brutally assassinated in front of 3,000 people. Charlie Kirk was a conservative political activist and founder and CEO of Turning Point USA – but he was also a Christian. He had believed the gospel, that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins, and there is no salvation outside of faith in Him. He not only spoke on political issues, but also spoke often on spiritual issues and frequently shared the gospel at public events.

And so, this event has deeply affected many people – Christians and non-Christians alike. While I did not always agree with Kirk on politics, it cannot be denied that he was an incredibly bold, articulate man who loved people and desired for them to do what was right – and ultimately for them to know Jesus as their Savior. It should grieve us all, regardless of political beliefs or affiliation, to see a man like this murdered in cold blood.

But despite the tragedy and injustice of Kirk’s assassination, I have personally already seen God’s providential hand at work. I have seen a young man awakened to the need to be bold in his faith and grow in Christ. A friend’s family member is being drawn to salvation in Christ by Kirk’s testimony. Another friend is reinvigorated in his passion to change the world in the name of our Savior. Conversations about the horrors of political violence are taking shape. Many are seeking to follow in Kirk’s footsteps of being a bold witness for Christ, no matter the cost. And I have no doubt that you have seen the fruit of God’s hand in similar ways.

Like Joseph, we are witness to a grave injustice. But like Joseph, we can accept that though some meant it for evil, God means it for good.  

And God intends to accomplish that good through us, His church (1 Tim. 3:15).

If you are grieved by Charlie Kirk’s assassination, let it first drive you to the throne of God (Heb. 4:16). Let it remind you that though this life is full of pain, one day our redemption will be complete (Rom. 8:18-25). And let it drive you to obey the Great Commission of Matt. 28:18-20 – to lead people to faith in Christ alone and to follow Him every day of their lives.

My friend, remember: God is good; God is sovereign; God is wise. Trust Him and serve Him with what time He gives you.