What The Devil Means For Bad, God Uses For Good

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. Genesis 50:20

How would you feel if every time you attempted to do something, it turned out the opposite way? You desire to lose ten pounds, so you discipline yourself; you modify your diet and exercise daily. After several months of intense sacrifice, you climb onto the scale only to discover that you put on ten pounds. It is impossible to gain any positive ground when we take two steps forward and one backwards.

But that’s the way the devil’s life is. No matter how much he tries to steal, kill and destroy God’s people, he still ends up working God’s purpose. He throws a fiery dart at us attempting to slow us down, but we end up moving faster. He brings sickness in an attempt to distort and pervert our faith, but we end up stronger than ever. In spite of all his schemes, devices and deceptions, we end up more than conquerors.

Satan’s plans always backfire on him. There are many examples in the bible to demonstrate this fact. God promised Abraham an heir. That meant his wife Sarah, who remained barren for decades, would have to bare him a male child. The very fact that Sarah did not have a child was a source of tension in her household.

When Sarah was well past her childbearing age, her barrenness was good evidence that God could not be trusted to do what He promised. And if we can’t trust Him to give us the child he promised, then we are in serious trouble by trusting Him to take us to the Promised Land.

But Sarah did not lose faith in God. No matter how much the devil played with her mind, she kept right on trusting. Eventually, at 90 years old, she gave birth to a male child. Instead of proving God a liar, she proved that God saved the best for last. He will even make us laugh.

When Moses told the people that God sent him to deliver them, they practically ran him out of Egypt. Moses fled Egypt and the devil laughed. He stayed out there for 40 years, and had no intent on returning. But all the while, God was teaching him; training him; humbling him. Moses had to learn how to survive in the desert with millions of people.

The devil did his best to stop Moses only to end up defeated.

The devil tried to stop Daniel from praying, but instead of dying, Daniel became the king’s closest adviser. The devil tried to stop prayer only to watch prayer become a law.

Paul was such a fiery preacher, that Satan got him thrown in prison. He thought this would silence him. But Paul got a pen and paper and wrote a letter to the Galatians telling them to "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set you free Galatians 5:1. He also wrote letters to the Ephesians (see Ephesians 1:4), the Philippians (see Philippians 1:6), and the Colossians (see 1:13). Every time we read these letters, Satan gets a reminder of how he threw Paul in prison. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory, Which none of the princes of the world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory 1 Corinthians 2: 7-8.

The devil may be running around roaring like a lion, but God is calling the shots. God wants us to know that we can count on Him to deliver us from the devil.

According to Ezekiel 28: 12-15, Satan was an example of what was perfect. He was full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. He had such a wonderful job that God made the most precious stones a part of him attire.

But he wasn’t satisfied to simply worship God, he wanted to be God. He wasn’t satisfied to be more beautiful and better dressed than any other angel; he wanted creation to worship Him. "I will ascend up to heaven. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will sit upon the mount of the congregation... I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most high (see Isaiah 14: 13-15. I find it very interesting that the most beautiful and powerful angel ever created ended up being the most foolish.

After all this time, he still hasn’t changed. He still wants to be worshipped; yet positionally, he is the same as when God created him. He will never be above God. He only knows what God reveals to him. He is not omnipotent. He can only do what God permits him to do. He is a servant of God. He doesn’t want to be a servant; he wants to be a king with his own kingdom. But he can only do what God allows.

Therefore, no matter what role he is playing, he is still fulfilling God’s will on earth. Even if he’s flying planes into buildings or carrying out suicide missions. His plots will ultimately backfire.

Satan wants us to think that he is acting independently. He wants us to believe that he has unlimited power. But he doesn’t. If God has a hedge around us, Satan cannot penetrate it unless God allows it. He is an instrument, and we can be sure that whatever trial comes our way, God will work it for our good.

God used Satan to keep Paul humble so that He could use him. Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me...see 2 Corinthians 12:7. Paul asked God three times to remove this thorn, but God said no. He told Paul that His grace was sufficient and His power was made perfect in our weakness.

It was the same way with Job. Satan could not touch Job until God permitted it. He wanted to destroy Job’s faith, but in the end, Job ended up with far more than the devil took from him. "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down, He’ll never let you be pushed beyond your limit; He’ll always be there to help you through it" 1 Corinthians 10:13.

It may be difficult for you to see how whatever you are going through can be anything worthwhile. If so, think about this; He who knew no sin became sin for us that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him 2 Corinthians 5:21.

By: Edmund Brown