And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
When was the last time things didn’t go exactly as you wanted them to? Did the weather for today fail to line up with what you wanted to do during the day? Did you cut or bruise or burn yourself recently? Did you receive all of the money you hoped to make this year? Did your vacation plans go as planned? We don’t have to look far to find ways in which things don’t work out as we want them to. But does that mean they don’t work out for our good?
First of all, we need to identify who this verse is referring to. We easily spot the first qualifier: them that love God. Surely that is us. We have come to know and love the Saviour who loved us and died to save us. Surely we love God, so this verse must apply to us. But there is another qualifier: the called according to His purpose. Does this refer to you and me? While it is true that we have been called, is it also true that we are living according to His purpose? We have to think about that one, don’t we? How much of our lives are lived specifically to conform with the purposes of God for us? And how much of our lives are lived specifically to follow our own agendas and desires, regardless of how they might clash with the purposes of God for us?
There are some basics concerning the purpose of God that we can recognize, for sure. The purpose of God never falls outside of the direct obedience to His Word. The purpose of God never omits gathering together with His people, witnessing for our Lord, supporting the work of the Gospel, and living a lifestyle that reflects the love of Christ. We can’t go wrong if we follow these. As for major decisions and directions that we need to take, God will reveal His purpose for us if we ask in faith and study His Word. But even among the Christians Who seek to hide their lives within the will and purpose of God, we see disappointments and sorrows and trouble. How are these things working together for good?
Does our definition of all things working together for good mean that God will give us all the money we can possibly spend? That would do us more harm than good, because, unlike God, we don’t know what is the best for us and riches would plunge us into hurtful lusts. Do we define all things working together for good as the lack of sickness and heartache in our families? This would deprive us of the privilege of trusting our Lord to carry us through life’s trials. No, the good that our text refers to is our eternal good, the only good that endures or matters.
The next time something fails to go as you had hoped or planned, remember that it is God’s purpose, not ours, that matters and that will be for our good. – Jim MacIntosh