As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, (Genesis 50:20 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Ignore Intentions
I used to say, “I do not believe in conspiracies… I just believe people plan things.”
But lately, I am starting to believe in conspiracies.
Influential, persuasive, and powerful people are apparently becoming more successful in obstructing the preaching of the gospel. They are apparently becoming more successful in limiting freedoms of God’s people. They are apparently becoming more successful in changing the narrative of our history. They are apparently becoming more successful in altering the foundations of Scripture, the Church, and the family.
But we, the people of God, adopted through the work of Christ Jesus, under the protection, providence, and power of the One True Living God, still have nothing to fear.
Joseph’s brothers had bad intentions. But God was still in charge.
The Jewish leaders in 33 AD had bad intentions. But God was still in charge.
Those who imprisoned the apostle Paul had bad intentions. But God was still in charge.
No matter how powerful the intenders, God’s intentions are better. No matter how twisted and evil the intenders, God’s goodness is better. No matter how deeply woven the plots of the intenders are, God’s tapestry is better.
He’s already saved you, despite your worst intentions. He’s already saved me, despite my worst intentions. He’s already filling heaven and earth with His Kingdom, despite the intentions of His enemies.
Fear not, then ignore intentions.