“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”(Romans 8:28).

When you’re in the midst of great suffering you don’t want people to piously quote the above verse to you. “How can this be good when it feels so bad?” you ask yourself. But what is this verse really talking about? I looked it up in my Bible so I could read it in context.

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, to those who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.”

In the Amplified Bible the last phrase reads: “He destined them from the beginning to be molded into the image of His Son and share inwardly His likeness.”

God is interested in our long-range good. For that reason, He is using all things in our lives–the good and the bad–to make us more like Christ. To perfect us. To grow us up. To set us free from self-centeredness so that we will become the beautiful people He created. This is a greater good than temporal blessings. Wouldn’t you agree?

We must beware of a feeling of entitlement, thinking that God owes us a blessing. “I’ve been a good Christian; I’ve worked very hard; I deserve better.” In truth, if it weren’t for Jesus’ death and resurrection, God would owe us judgment. Instead, He offers us mercy. Grace and mercy are His gifts to us. We do not earn them.

Father, I want to believe that you have my best interest at heart, at all times. Help my unbelief. I now surrender all my dreams and ambitions and all my disappointments to you. I want to be more trusting like Jesus was.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Forgiveness is Good for Your Health
•  When Life isn’t Fair
•  Salvation Explained

The post Do all Things Really Work Together for Good? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

About some things, believers are absolutely sure. We know, for example, that God sits in the controls of the ship while it navigates the rockiest water. We believe that God’s invisible hand is always on us, and that wherever our world may drift, God is steering it.

This reassuring knowledge should prepare us for everything. We look at the raging water, and see the spirit of Jesus walking the waves. We hear a voice saying, “It is I, be not afraid.” (John 6:20)

We know that God is always wise, and so we are confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes. Nothing can occur that God is somehow unaware is happening. We can truthfully say,

“Even if I lose all I have, it is better that I lose it than have it, if God wills it. The worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest thing that could befall to me if God wills it.” We can say this because “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

Christians don’t just believe this as a theory, but instead know it as fact. Everything can work for good, such as when dangerous and deadly drugs, mixed in the right proportions, can become a powerful cure. Believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, and that He brings good out of evil, our hearts will be assured. You and I are enabled to calmly meet each trial as it comes. Christians can, in the spirit of true surrender, pray, “Send me what you will, my God, so long as it comes from You. Never has there come an ill portion from Your table to any of Your children.”

Remember that God has servants everywhere, His method is holy, His heart profoundly kind, and His timing is always perfect.

Question: How can you think of examples of how God has used things in your life for good, even when the situation seemed bleak?

By Charles H Spurgeon
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• God is Faithful
• God is Gentle and Humble

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

Follow Us On:

SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL: FOLLOW THIS LINK

The post God Works for the Good appeared first on Thoughts About God.