Does God Intend Evil for Our Good? Providential Peril for Joseph, Jesus, and You

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[@bradhouston4734]

This is a hard pill to swallow but also brings comfort. I have had a hard life, mostly over the last 9 years since breaking my back, so I can’t wait to see what comes of it! One big positive is that I have more time to view things as I need more bathroom time!! I love these sermons!!

[@HearGodsWord]

A very helpful message in this testing time. Trials produce perseverance.

[@sklund77]

We are so thankful for you, Pastor John

[@Fedproman]

My heart breaks for those who would reject this message on the wonderful sovereignty of our Lord.

[@CT-if2tt]

Wow. I'm pretty much at a loss for words, other than that this was profound, amazing, and wonderful. All praise to God through Jesus for eternity.

[@berendsulman]

It's so good and encouraging to here on this topic from time to time. These truths so easily fade away in daily life. Thank you John.

[@RRiaz-np4lr]

This man is brilliant. The message he calls to is the divine's.

[@chodavidxu9po399]

What a wounderful mesage !!!

[@FaithfulandTrue949]

Spot on Word in season brother, thank you Jesus. "The testing of our faith produces patience" James 1:3 "God knoweth the way that I take and when I have been tried, I shall come forth as gold" Job 23:10 Miraculously - He - has preserved me through a life of trials!

[@monew632]

Thank you, Pastor for your faithfulness to this hard truth. I’ve seen it in my own life and I praise God for His goodness. I even praise God for the trials-honestly, I do. The blessing of true intimacy with my Savior is worth any and every hardship. ❤️

[@DOGSNFISHIN]

Thank you, Pastor John

[@ole.tshetlo]

Such a wonderful and encouraging message!

[@jacqbx]

What a time of need do we need this food for thought. The Word prevails!!!

[@samueljoseph777]

Amazing message and i think the world needs to hear this. God bless John.

[@JasonBowman]

Such a wonderful message. Thank you very much for sharing this with me. I needed this. I have Kidney Disease and I can trust God through my sickness and know my God is in control of all things.

[@catherinecroker283]

Hi Jason there are many ways GOD heals us. Healings are established as GOD'S will and HIS Kingdom provision for us both in the old testament and the new. It is by faith we hear the word and receive the promise of being healed. Hebrews 4 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of GOD. Isa 53 the promise - the HOLY SPIRIT upon the believers the anointing. 1 Cor 12 GOD gave gifts to men - including healing. On the authority of HIS commission Matt 28 and by faith I say BE HEALED IN JESUS NAME - the word of the LORD sent to you. Receive by faith in the LIVING GOD. Amen. Other ways Lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. Call for the elders and be anointed with oil. Jesus spoke the word and they were healed. It is GOD'S will for you to be made whole. Again I say in JESUS NAME be healed.

[@timothykeith1367]

Is the kidney failure related to diabetes ? Are you able to have dialysis? My father had kidney failure caused by a loss of a kidney from cancer, he endured well until the last six weeks, then became very dehydrated, the last week he fell asleep and died as he neared 92 years of age.

[@tessalogan586]

God and evil don't harmanize , God chastizes the world, yes it for YOUR GOOD ☝🙏

[@KNO1412]

What a message on Sovereignty of God. Amazing!!! Thanks Dr. Piper

[@williamcopeland6683]

Filled with the Life of YHWH this 8th day of the week.. thank you Jesus..love ya p.j.

[@etho98]

Wonderful encouragement. Thank you, Dr.Piper.

[@etho98]

john piper Halajewyah to yah, you slimy bastard!!!!! Money cometh!!!!!!

[@ejsepnio]

So much GRATEFUL to God Ptr John for His message! Continue to flourish for Christ.

[@vahnveuhx4996]

Absolutely needed this. God bless.

[@esthergenao7361]

HalleluYah! God reigns!

[@earnestedward3138]

Hallelujah

[@josephhall8895]

Wow; love it. Life changing perspective

[@adrianaalvarez9666]

Liberating. Helpful. Outstanding. Brings rest to our souls. Encourage prayers. I love it

[@kimberlymartin2314]

Delight in God's word.

[@brayanopinira2994]

Wow I so much Love Papa John Piper.... To God be the Glory..

[@PortCanon]

Exactly the message I needed to hear. 🔊

[@Yesica1993]

Thank you for this! I have been unemployed / under- employed for 10+ years. Not months, years. I've been working from home, barely part time, for some years now. A few things have hit me recently. Not only am I more accustomed to working from home than those who have been forced to do so now, but I've not had to worry about wearing a mask (very difficult for me with my allergies) or being exposed/exposing others to illness. (Very important, as I am caregiver for elderly/ill parents.) Do I now fully understand the reasons for God not opening full time for work for me, despite my constant prayers? No. But this little portion of it became clear just recently. And I was thankful.

[@timothykeith1367]

Not having constant employment for a decade is a difficult situation to endure, but you are caring for your parents, which is blessed thing to do.

[@Yesica1993]

@@timothykeith1367 Thanks.

[@eastcoastmz]

I’m a new listener to this amazing and blessed servant of God. I thank God for preachers like John Piper who is not ashamed to preach the Truth and challenge us to not be drawn into our secular culture. May God continue to bless this ministry.

[@KNO1412]

I’m glad you liked this message. He is one of my favorite preachers

[@bubuwinnie2009]

Thanks Pastor John always!!! What a blessing!!!!

[@colinhunter7786]

May Jesus bless🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@cyndig1670]

Fabulous insight! I needed this encouragement!

[@nelsonlivingston]

Praise God for the encouraging words..

[@DCFNETWORKS]

This is amazing thank you John Piper in Jesus Christ

[@matthewciappara6506]

Beautiful ❤

[@carljones8334]

John was used by God to answer a question I have been asking Him for about 34 years. Praise God. I must add, that I didn't like the answer, but praise God nonetheless.

[@Eben_Haezer]

May I ask you why you didn't like it?

[@carljones8334]

@@Eben_Haezer That's okay. The reason I didn't like the answer was because God reveled the pride I had been harbouring in my heart for 34 years, all the while blaming Him. The chastening of the Lord, doesn't feel too good. It is only afterwards we can see His goodness. So, I'll say it again, but this time you may understand what I am saying. " I didn't like the answer, but praise God nonetheless." I will add that even when I'm not faithful, He remains faithful. Praise God in all things.

[@carljones8334]

I was going to a conference on sharing the gospel more effectively, two hundred and fifty miles away from home. To cut the story short, two animals ran in front of my car, causing the car to break down a hundred miles later. However it was all in God's plan, as I was able to witness to the driver who took me to pick up a hire car. God had taken me one hundred and fifty miles in order to tell this person that Jesus loved her and gave His life for her. I was so glad from the moment of impact to returning home, He had worked in my life in such a way, that I could thank Him, although I didn't know why my car was wrecked, then I could praise Him that a sinner heard of Jesus, and then I could rejoice that He had allowed me to see Him at work.

[@rrshain]

Thank you!

[@BruceC]

A blessed storm that lands us upon the Rock of Ages - Blessed to be stressed!

[@moonshinershonor202]

🙏Let my people go.

[@vico100]

Great!

[@Prisonerofhope83]

50:20 vision...seeing further, beyond what appears to be, to see God at work in our toughest experiences , for our good but most importantly for His glory!

[@iansedenu4263]

Keeping it real❤️

[@gnieu1278]

Providence explained to the max... Blessed be the name of the Lord God..... No right to question the Lord God's Sovereignty and ultimate authority.... Jesus is Lord... High Priest, Prophet and King.. You wanted evil for me but the Lord God wanted good for you

[@yc4881]

Truly.

[@cywong3250]

Amen

[@Heavenly-places]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@mygoalmotivation5769]

To the person watching this video you will certainly make it in life.

[@CovenantBlackwatch09]

Where does that inspiration come from?

[@CurtisEbanks]

We don't need to 'make it' in life, God's already *made it* eternally.

[@KNO1412]

Thanks. I would love to add that if we don’t make it in life but we make it in heaven that’s all that really matters. God bless

[@blahblahjumpswing1504]

Luke 12:12 The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them. Pass it on. Everything is a test, of your weakness,then the test of your strength is even easier, remove any fear from your body and God will tear down your obstacles. People are loved more then then they let themselves be loved. Your watched, God keeps an ear and eye on loved ones, dearly and daily, refinement is always short lived. Everything else is history. Even judges have to be rung through, everyone has a purpose. In the end, it's a party like you've never seen or heard before. That's the point. They make you swear on a bible, find the part that shows, courts corruptions, and the fake abilities they really have. You have nothing to loose.

[@larrycarter3765]

Nope!

[@seekingtruth4045]

Evil is that which goes against God's nature by definition. God cannot cause evil as He is good. If God can do evil, then He is not good. However, we can still say that it is God's will for something to occur but we have to differentiate between His active will and His permissive will. God permits evil as it is the only way for us to have free will and be capable of love. We can also recognise God is all powerful and all knowing, and can use the evil we do for good, and can have a plan in the sense that He knows what evil we will do and knows how He will respond. But even saying this is weird. God doesn't plan the way we do as if He thinks about it before knowing what He will do. Piper does touch on that but I think he could be more clear.

[@lisagilbert7833]

I can certainly understand God's hand in what happened to Joseph and Jesus; but what do you say to the 11 year old girl who was raped at school by two high school boys. Did God mean that for good? I know I am responding to this message a year and a half after it was posted but if anyone sees this comment, I would like to have a reply.

[@phieble]

Hi, Lisa. I know it's been months since you posted this comment, but if you would still like a reply to this question, I have one that I pray will be helpful to you. God IS LOVE therefore EVERYTHING he does is ultimately for the purpose of making his elect see and enjoy his love to the max forever. Consequently, God CANNOT plan out anything evil to occur that will not have the end result of something about his nature and character being revealed so that when he acts, his people praise and love him more than if God had not revealed himself in that way. The rape of anyone is always wrong and God hates it even though he planned that it would happen (and his plannning is not the same thing as him actively making someonecarry out his plan because the devil and our sin nature are secondary causes,) therefore he will respond to this evil and hold the rapists accountable. When he does that, his justice will shine and every time his justice shines his love for those made victim to evil shines. So if those rapists are never forgiven and saved and instead they go to Hell as they and ALL PEOPLE deserve, then it will be because God hated their evil and loved the girl so much that it moved him to mete out justice. Consider something even grander though: God could later invade into the lives of either one or both of the rapists, convict them of their sin when they hear the Gospel, save them and give them the Holy Spirit, and then for the rest of their lives work in their hearts to love people and preach and work against that very same act of evil they performed earlier in their lives along with moving them to pray that their evil will not end up being irreparably damaging to the girl they harmed. God may then grant their request, save the girl, and then give her the strength of love in her heart to forgive the rapists and then encourage other victims to seek recovery and strength from God to forgive and pray for their oppressors through her testimony. Still, the evil of the rapists would be dealt with justly through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ who bore on himself the sins and the punishment of all people who will be saved and then rose from the dead so that those who repent and trust in him will have eternal life. So God could have ordained that evil event for the demonstration of his love in justice, or for the demonstration of his mercy and saving grace through the Gospel, and either way this evil will be perfectly dealt with and his love and grace will shine and he will be praised. God's sovereignty is the only way that God could ensure that his plans are brought about without fail and that everything he desired to reveal about himself for the benefit of his people would be, therefore it is our only hope of perfect justice and consummate joy. I hope that the glory of God will be manifest in this suffering little girl's life and she will be able to know and love God for all that he is and through all that he has ordained for her life, trusting that he indeed does cause ALL things to work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose for them, and I pray this for you as well. ❤❤🙂

[@seekingtruth4045]

God cannot do evil as He is good. Evil by definition is that which is opposed to good. However we can still say that everything is God's will. How? Because it is God's permissive will for evil to occur - He allows it because free will and therefore love cannot exist without allowing us to choose evil. His active will is that which is good. Not sure if that helps.

[@mr.c2485]

Watch the last video from...Pinecreek. He and cosmic skeptic cover this subject thoroughly.

[@godcrochetchatter9234]

What does BFF mean?

[@ssstankkka]

Hi, maybe you found out by now, but if others are wondering too, it's BSF, Bible Study Fellowship.

[@vincent8943]

16:00

[@lukewagner8871]

Hebrews 5:12-14 ESV [12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, [13] for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. [14] But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

[@ronwilson6889]

Were in the bible that it says GENTILES are god chosen people and they have SALVATION. Tell me were

[@josephneeland1374]

Sons Through Faith in Christ …27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.…-GALATIANS 3:27-29

[@sandyhalim1661]

How can one be ok with this? This is very offensive theology. It might be true, but does His sovereignty mean He designs the peril for His righteous people?

[@panda22518]

Yeah that's what it means....

[@kathleenwharton2139]

Sandy Halim Remember the story of Job. God allowed Satan to test him. I don’t think it is real good news either.

[@berendsulman]

John Piper wrestled with this theology himself and so I did and sometimes still do. But after the death of my daughter - 21 years old - I had to come in terms with God's sovereignty. There is still a lot of pain and grief after 11 years, but God is good and He ment it for good allthough I cannot see still. I live in faith, so my daughter did. God bless you.

[@Eben_Haezer]

2 timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.

[@Yesica1993]

First of all, none of us are righteous on our own merits. We ALL deserve hell. Second, God's Word is always offensive to unbelievers. And it's often offensive to even His own children. (That's part of how we know that it is not from man's hand or ideas. God is not like us!) Lastly, this teaching is good news for us! It means that none of our suffering is random or without purpose!

[@lctechnologies9393]

Does God use someone's habitual sin to increase their faith in God and to develop an immature Christian's patience and reliance on Christ instead of our own efforts? I still sin because I love it at times and want it in the moment, but after sin is finished, after I give in to Satan's counterfeit, I hate it. I've been in an up and down battle with porn. Some months I'm completely free, and other times like last week I've indulged like an animal. I am not how I used to be, thank God, but I am still weak to pornography and masturbation and lust. I almost disavowed Christ last week because I am tired of the thoughts such as my name has just been erased from the Lamb's book of Life every time I give in to this same sin. When I'm not sinning, I feel good and life is great, but as soon as I give into my sin again, I feel depressed, hopeless, lost, and that God has now predestined me as a vessel fitted to be damned to hell. I can't live my life in this emotional roller coaster, it has driven me to almost suicidal depression at times, and that is no way to live and it's not healthy. So I have decided to say something like this in my heart, "Lord, I trust in you Jesus Christ as the propitiation for my sins, and that you have already died for my sins; past, present, and future. And you have bestowed upon me your righteousness and sinless perfection, in exchange for my wicked sins. And even in the moments when I deliberately and consciously sin and resist your Holy Spirit's conviction and give into the sin, you will still freely forgive me agian, and again, and again, limitlessly, if I confess it to you, because you know that I am as dust (Psalm 103:14). " I do not pray this as an excuse to freely enjoy my sin and give it life, yet I find myself still blatantly and habitually sinning, even after trusting in Christ and His cross, and trying to yield to the Holy Spirit to bear His fruit in my life. I am tired of the lies that I am reprobate, that God has hardened my heart and given me up to the lusts of flesh. I'm choosing not to believe that anymore, because that totally destroys the mind and I don't believe God has done that to me. But this is the state that I am in brothers and sisters. Please say a quick prayer for me, for I am feeling defeated but I am trying to fight the good fight of faith. I love you guys. I just wanted to get this off my chest because I don't really have any Christian friends, and I am not going to church right now.

[@pieterverbeij867]

Hey linden i just want you to know that i am you .you have discribed the struggle and the movement of walking and falling i know so well ,i am so sick of it too .i just watched the video of john piper and then i always try to implement the truths in to my mind in my struggle hoping tobe delivered .just yet my girfriend asked why The browserhistory was deleted on the ipad ,i didnt lie about it but i felt ashamed then i started to readthe responses under the video and yours struck me .thanx for letting me know that i am not alone (like you i have no christian friends and i dontgo to church) it is written that when two are gathered in his name he will be in their midst. I will pray for you brother and if you would like it you have a friend in me Pieter

[@sherylhoffman4399]

@@pieterverbeij867 You guys, go to church. Get rid of your computers or whatever. I know it's a tough one. I struggle to, not with porn, but lust. My brother is addicted to porn and i feel sorry for him. Love in Christ.

[@lctechnologies9393]

@@pieterverbeij867 Yeah man I'm learning to just let go and stop trying, and I believe that is the key to allowing the Holy Spirit to naturally change us (which is His work in us called sanctification). Obviously you need to do what you can to avoid sinning when temptation presents itself, but we are powerless against sin and temptation unless we have the power of the Holy Spirit which enables us to resist sin. I've personally experienced that power, but sometimes I don't have it and I think it is because I've drifted away from Christ at times, and taken my mind off of Him. Idk I'm still learning man. I take a lot of solace in Jesus, though, because he knows exactly the kind of battle we're having : Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin." Just say something like this in your heart and believe it, "Lord Jesus, I am yours today, please deliver me when today's temptation presents itself to me. Do not let me give into Satan's counterfeit, but let me rest in your power Holy Spirit. Give me self control. And I give you all of the credit and honor God. In Jesus' name, Amen." Sometimes God answers this prayer in a mighty way, and sometimes I feel He doesn't and I am helpless against the enticement of my own lust. Idk why. It's crazy man but it's a journey, and I believe God will finish the work that He started in us, we just can't lose faith. Thank you for your comment brother you have restored me, please let this reply restore you man. Let's rise above Satan's lies brother. In Jesus Name

[@lctechnologies9393]

@@sherylhoffman4399 Your comment isn't really helpful. I am looking for some brotherly Christ-like guidance, maybe women can't understand this kind of battle because of our different biology. Nevertheless regardless of biology, God has called us to exercise self-control. Just pray for your brothers in Christ that we may overcome sexual immorality, and I will pray for you too Sister!

[@pieterverbeij867]

thank you brother@@lctechnologies9393 you've given me hope in my soul you have an amazing ability to express your feelings in words ,I know you are an honest person who loves truth and so do I .I suspect you like to read between the lines like myself ,and we know that the law of christ goes beyond bending the law.(matthew5-28) I think you have like me an inability to lie to yourself ,at least conciously and still we fall again and again maybe not as much as we used to but still it gets so frustrating perhaps we should find a common platform to communicate and join forces I would like very much to be your friend

[@gregjay9933]

Piper is very articulate and passionate in his teaching but I reckon he has got it wrong when he says that God determines and instigates evil events in order to bring about the rescue from those evil events. God, who is infinite in love, rich in mercy and grace, and kind in all His deeds could never be the cause of evil in the lives of His creation, whom He made in His own image. It goes completely against the character of God for Him to be the cause of evil in order to rescue from that evil. The Bible teaches that “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, IS NOT FROM THE FATHER, but is from the world.” Surely God is made more glorious by rescuing His people from the actions of the powers of darkness as well as the actions of evil men, rather than being the determiner of those evil actions.

[@Eren-wj6uk]

You misunderstand what sovereignty means, brother. Just because God governs all things past, present, and future does not mean He is causing/inflicting that evil. In other words allowing an effect is not parallel to causing the effect. Satan has dominion over our current world and to say God has no control over this permissible dominion would be diminishing His authority. All events of this reality have been predetermined in order that His light may shine brightest in the darkness; all glory and praise to God the Father and His son Jesus Christ.

[@RamonaQ]

Isaiah 45

[@williamcopeland6683]

Well then.. you are wrong.. the bible is still right.. nothing has changed by your statement.. any other view makes the creature YHWH.. not the YHWH of Scripture

[@gregjay9933]

@@Eren-wj6uk I agree with you brother - “Just because God governs all things past, present, and future does not mean He is causing/inflicting that evil.” But then you said - “ALL EVENTS OF THIS REALITY HAVE BEEN PREDETERMINED in order that His light may shine brightest in the darkness.” Isn’t this a contradiction? God DOES NOT cause/inflict evil; ALL EVENTS of this reality HAVE BEEN PREDETERMINED.

[@Eren-wj6uk]

Greg Jay I will try to address your concern in the best possible way my fallible mind can brother. If you hold the position that God has foreknowledge you must also hold the position that all things are predetermined since foreknowledge determines all events that are to occur. That being said determinism does not equate to causality. If God had the foreknowledge of Adams fall, does that mean He caused Adams fall? Not at all.

[@wigglesworth3717]

Reformed Catholicism? Keep on reforming it; you’re not done yet.

[@timothykeith1367]

"ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda" - the church reformed, always reforming

[@justnoted2995]

More like: Satan meant it for evil, but God's intention with this, was for good

[@werngethin9092]

If the Bible is the word of God he didn't do a very good job in explaining himself because John Piper had to write shed load of books to explain what God meant in the Bible. Unless the cash from book sales came in handy🤔

[@Yesica1993]

What?

[@marcelwillieniles3816]

A troll

[@scottcarter1689]

Well Wern... As a matter of fact, they did come in handy.. that is... for God's intention. All of the royalties set up within Desiring God are structured with complete circumnavigation of Piper himself. Even in his past as a pastor, he only got a structured amount from what the church designated which he donated as well. Piper doesn't want money. Everyday he wakes up ...it is only of the matter if he is going to die by the end of the day, and if he fulfilled God's purpose in Piper glorifying Him in that day. Only an ignorant person who has not experienced ultimate things in their life would make such a comment because it is at the heart of who they are themselves... such as yourself. You need to know what you speak of before you open up and reveal your ignorance. (This is not a pejorative insinuation but rather one of fact... for the good of your own understanding). this is open public knowledge of those who are involved in Desiring God. Hopefully, this is God bringing you to such an understanding... rather than continuing in the ignorance of darkened cynicism. It would be good to pray that this is the case for you-because cynicism will be your reality if not. This is the precise understanding of how God orchestrates multiple contradistinctive oppositions in order to bring about the redemption of His people. So it's actually a good thing for you to have shown this in yourself for illustration of this whole video. God bless (for your sake) & Soli Deo Gloria (for Christ's sake)

[@carljones8334]

@@scottcarter1689 Well said.

[@scottcarter1689]

In visiting back with you again Wern... the question naturally would be... If you had volumes of writings that were best sellers... you would be enjoying the royalties in whatever geographical location happened to be your destination of choice. Yet you wield this accusation which is ironically the complete opposite scenario as yourself. This is important again in the illustration and demonstration of the sovereignty of God in using you as the subject of the demonstration. This is ironically and graciously the offering of the chance for your repentance... because that's how wonderful God is. Hopefully you will be a recipient of this grace.