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God's Sovereignty Over Evil
When tragedy strikes and evil seems to triumph, how can we reconcile God's goodness with His sovereignty? This profound question becomes deeply personal when we face loss, violence, and senseless acts that shake our faith in humanity's goodness. In this sermon, Dr. Conrad Mbewe shares from the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis.
A Personal Journey Through Loss
Pastor Conrad Mbewe returns to HBC a year after having lost his second son. In the sanctuary of Christian community, he found space to process God's mysterious ways. His pain mirrors that of countless others who have faced unimaginable loss and leads us to seek the scripture for guidance.
This seems more important today, given recent tragic events - the deaths of Irena Zarutka and Charlie Kirk. These murderous circumstances demonstrate the depths of human evil and can shake our faith in the goodness of those around us, forcing us to grapple with difficult theological questions.
Joseph's Story: Evil Transformed
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today." - Genesis 50:20
Joseph's response to his brothers reveals a profound truth: the same event can have two planners with entirely different motives. His brothers planned evil, but God planned the same circumstances for ultimate good. This doesn't excuse the evil, but it shows God's sovereignty working through human choices.
Twenty Years of Suffering
1
Sold into Slavery
Brothers' hatred leads to Joseph being sold as a slave, beginning decades of hardship.
2
False Accusation
Resisting sexual advances results in false charges and imprisonment.
3
Forgotten in Prison
Despite helping fellow prisoners, Joseph remains forgotten for years.
4
Divine Elevation
Pharaoh's dream leads to Joseph's rise to second-highest position in Egypt.
Two Planners, One History
Human Planning
Joseph's brothers acted with free will and malicious intent. They are fully accountable for their evil actions. Their planning was independent and driven by hatred, jealousy, and murderous intent.
Divine Planning
God simultaneously planned the same events for ultimate good. His purpose was to preserve life and fulfill His covenant promises. Divine sovereignty doesn't negate human responsibility.
God's Eternal Decree
"I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'" - Isaiah 46:9-10
Unlike human rulers who react to circumstances, God planned all of history before creation. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He doesn't wind up the world like a clock and leave it to run - He actively governs every detail according to His eternal wisdom.
Why God Allows Evil
To Display His Justice
We only understand light when we've experienced darkness. God's justice is revealed when He punishes sin.
To Show His Grace
Divine grace becomes meaningful only when we understand our desperate need for forgiveness.
To Reveal His Righteousness
God's perfect character is displayed against the backdrop of human moral failure.
The Reality of Human Depravity

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" - Jeremiah 17:9
Every human being has the capacity for the worst forms of evil. It is only God's common grace that restrains us. Without divine restraint, humanity would have destroyed itself long ago - as evidenced by Cain murdering Abel, the first act of violence between brothers.
This sobering truth should humble us: "There but for the grace of God go I."
The Muddy Water Illustration
Imagine walking to your child's wedding in your finest suit when someone pushes you into murky water. Your first reaction? Anger and desire for revenge.
But then you see an arrow embedded in the tree behind you and a fleeing archer. Suddenly, the same action that made you furious now fills you with gratitude. The pusher saved your life.
The action didn't change - only your understanding of the purpose changed everything.
Trust in Divine Wisdom
Like Mary watching her son die on the cross, we often cannot see God's ultimate purpose in our present suffering. The pain is real, the evil is genuine, but our loving and wise God sits on the throne with purposes far beyond our current understanding.
When evil strikes, we can choose to trust in God's eternal wisdom rather than seek personal revenge. We can say with Joseph: "Am I in the place of God?" Justice belongs to Him, and He will accomplish His perfect will.
There is nothing as terrible as going through life without this anchor of faith in God's sovereignty and goodness.