“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).
The first thing to notice here is that “God works” – today! It is one thing to believe that God did something in the past (creation, sending his Son). It is another thing to believe that he will do something in the future (Christ’s return, Heaven). It is essential, though, to believe that he is doing something now. Without that belief, all we have to work with are our own skills, knowledge and best efforts. However, if God is involved in my life on a daily basis, maybe there is power and hope, even when I do not see or understand everything at this moment.
That leads to the second important statement and that is that things will be “good”. Notice that the verse does not say, “God will work to make you happy”. The truth is that God works for my “good” even when it does not like “good” to me. Parents understand this principle. You do not let you children do whatever they want to do all the time. Doing so would not make you a good parent. In fact, only bad parents give in to every desire of their child. The goal is to make sure that things turn out “good” in the end and this verse promises that God will work only for our good.
By the way, I once heard someone say, “Everything will be ok in the end”. Someone replied, “Well, things are not ok with me right now! Things are bad! What do you have to say to that?” The first person thought for a moment and said, “Well, it is obviously not the end then, is it?” Those of you who have been through truly bad circumstances and yet can look back and see some of the good that came from them know the truth of that statement.
Lastly, this promise is for “those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. We have to be in a position to be used and influenced by God. God’s will is never forced on us, it must be chosen.
This verse gives me hope because it reminds me that I am not alone (God is working today), that nothing is hopeless (God can make it “good”) and that if I walk closely with him, he can work in and through me (for his purposes).
That says a lot.
The first thing to notice here is that “God works” – today! It is one thing to believe that God did something in the past (creation, sending his Son). It is another thing to believe that he will do something in the future (Christ’s return, Heaven). It is essential, though, to believe that he is doing something now. Without that belief, all we have to work with are our own skills, knowledge and best efforts. However, if God is involved in my life on a daily basis, maybe there is power and hope, even when I do not see or understand everything at this moment.
That leads to the second important statement and that is that things will be “good”. Notice that the verse does not say, “God will work to make you happy”. The truth is that God works for my “good” even when it does not like “good” to me. Parents understand this principle. You do not let you children do whatever they want to do all the time. Doing so would not make you a good parent. In fact, only bad parents give in to every desire of their child. The goal is to make sure that things turn out “good” in the end and this verse promises that God will work only for our good.
By the way, I once heard someone say, “Everything will be ok in the end”. Someone replied, “Well, things are not ok with me right now! Things are bad! What do you have to say to that?” The first person thought for a moment and said, “Well, it is obviously not the end then, is it?” Those of you who have been through truly bad circumstances and yet can look back and see some of the good that came from them know the truth of that statement.
Lastly, this promise is for “those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. We have to be in a position to be used and influenced by God. God’s will is never forced on us, it must be chosen.
This verse gives me hope because it reminds me that I am not alone (God is working today), that nothing is hopeless (God can make it “good”) and that if I walk closely with him, he can work in and through me (for his purposes).
That says a lot.
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