Today's readings are Joshua 1.1-18 ( http://www.officesupplyoutfitters.com/dcp7020.html ) and Acts 8.1-25 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Acts+8.1-25 ).
In the beginning of Acts 8 we see that a persecution falls upon the Christians in Jerusalem. What is our reaction when decidedly bad things happen? To recap the situation, the believers are persecuted, Christians other than the apostles flee to different areas, bringing the message of the Gospel with them. The apostles remain in Jerusalem. I think, though it doesn't state it outright, we can safely assume that the apostles weren't the only Christians who remained at Jerusalem, but that many fled and many stayed.
We could say the persecution was actually a good thing because it spread the Gospel. But persecution is never good. We could say that the persecution is something which is bad and which God tried to thwart. But God is able to protect his people against evil.
One of the keys to understanding this passage and the many evil things that happen in this world is that God can and does use evil things to accomplish good. In a like manner, we can't say Jesus' death, or anyone's death, is good. Death is bad. But God can use that bad to accomplish good.
We should be hesitant to say that God is the one bringing evil upon us. The Bible shows evil people acting in evil ways and doing it of their own accord. We should be hesitant to say that we understand why we are enduring evil. We really don't know, though the ultimate reason is that God is going to use the evil to accomplish his good purpose somewhere and somehow.
But let us be confident in this. As God commissioned Joshua at the beginning of our Old Testament reading, to lead the people and endure hardship in order to reach the victory God is giving to Israel, he also commissions us to live our lives in obedience to Christ's command, to endure hardship, and to reach the victory of our heavenly home through faith in Jesus.
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