Meant for Evil, God Meant for Good

March 21, 2025

Chaplain LaVina “Viny” Burns

Genesis 50:20 is a verse I have loved since I first read and grasped its meaning. It says, “But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” This was spoken after Joseph’s father had died and was buried. Joseph’s brothers had made his life very difficult (they believed). They had sold him into slavery in Egypt. Then, as he was exalted in his position in Potiphar’s home, he was falsely accused of trying to physically come against Potiphar’s wife. However, just as in 50:20 – “God meant it for good…”! Genesis 39:19-21 we read that Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20) Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison 21) the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Can you think of days when everything goes in the direction of evil-all goes wrong? I have had many! Years ago, I worked for a dentist in Chattanooga, TN. After witnessing Christ to one of our assistants, she accepted Christ. This made our dental hygienist very upset as she was the leader in control of what the staff did, where they ate lunch, etc. My goal was to continue to show the love of Jesus with the office staff. Not an easy one to say the least, but I also had a new Christian witnessing my every move.

In April 1981, I was expecting our son to be born and a friend of ours was throwing a baby shower to include the office personnel. The shower was to be at 6pm. However, it was not until 7pm that some very drunk women (with no gifts – LOL) from my office, came to the shower. The group thought they would “get my goat”, but by the Grace of God, this being only 1 action of many, I thanked them for coming to the shower as I knew they had worked all day and had to get up early the next morning. It seemed like issues were getting worse because I led the young lady to Jesus! I could not understand at that time in my life why this was happening when we were in Bible College, as well as working fulltime. Was I not showing loving kindness in the midst of adversity?

Finally, the day arrived when I was on maternity leave. During that time the hygienist decided she had run off a good person and in her words, “an excellent employee” and so they worked on making amends. Sure enough, when I was pregnant with our 1st daughter, I was invited to a luncheon with just the girls from the office. They held the luncheon in Rossville, GA at a very fancy dress shop and café. They had an elegantly decorated table in a gazebo filled with presents. They had gone all out! Jesus was glorified!

That is how God works. They originally thought they were coming against me, but in the end, the Christian life – Jesus at work in me, won their friendship to the point they would listen when I spoke the name of Jesus. That which they thought was evil was turned around for good. One soul saved and the respect towards me was earned and appreciated. Did you notice in verse 20b of Genesis 50 the whole goal was “…to save much people alive.” Do you have a goal to win others even during adversity? Ask God to lay someone on your heart today. I have different individuals I am praying for at this time with all sincerity that by the end of 2025 (hopefully much sooner) we will see them be sold out for Jesus!