Saturday, August 19, 2017
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose....
IN CONTEXT: WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD (6)
The fact that all things cooperate for our good does not mean we will always like those "things" and never question God's ways.
Joseph didn't appreciate or understand it when his brothers sold him as a slave. Job hardly enjoyed all the trials and losses he, with God's permission, had to endure from Satan's hand. Yet the subsequent lives of both men prove how God had a master plan.
Years later Joseph told his brothers: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good..." (Genesis 50:20). The last chapter of the book of Job tells us: "Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning" (Job 42:12).
At State or County fairs some heavy-equipment companies bring models with part of the engine cut away. We watch with great interest as some gears go this way and others go another, but all "work together for good" to allow the vehicle or machine to go in the direction the operator wants.
So it goes in our Christian faith-life. Some things appear to go our way; some things appear to go against us. Though we often can't figure out how it all fits into the God's plan for our life, rest assured, Christian friend, He does.
And we can trust Him who so loves us that He gave His Son into death for us. As Paul says right after our text, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32). Dear Christian,
The will of God is always best And shall be done forever;
And they who trust in Him are blest; He will forsake them never.
He helps indeed In time of need; He chastens with forbearing.
They who depend On God, their friend, Shall not be left despairing.
When life's brief course on earth is run And I this world am leaving,
Grant me to say, "Your will be done," Your faithful Word believing.
My dearest Friend, I now commend My soul into Your keeping;
From sin and hell, And death as well, By You the vict'ry reaping.
(Lutheran Service Book, 758:1, 4)
