Key scripture – “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28),

I bet this is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible. But do we really understand what it is saying to us as Christians? In order for us to be able to answer that question, we need to dig deep into today’s Key scripture.

“All things”– means, “all” with no exceptions, not just some things but all things, the times when things are going good and the times when they are bad; the times when everything seems bright and the times when everything seems dark; the times when life is sweet and the times when life is bitter; the times when life is easy and the times when it is hard; the times when you are happy and the times when you are sad; the times when you have money and the times when you are poor; the times when your health is good and the times when you are sick; the times when your life is calm and the times when you are in a storm; the times when you have comfort and the times when you are suffering; the times when there is life and the times when you have to face death. the times when people respect you for your faith and the times when they make fun of you.

“Work together for good” – It is God’s providential power and will, that causes all things to work together for good. No matter what happens in our lives, Christians are His children, therefore, the providence of God uses all things to benefit us now and in eternity, and He does that, sometimes by saving us from tragedies and trials and sometimes by sending us through them in order to draw us closer to Him.

All the good and bad things in our life mutually contribute to our good. They teach us the truth, they lead us to look to God for support, and to heaven for a final home; and they produce a subdued spirit, a humble temper, a patient, tender, kind and forgiving disposition. When they work for our good they work for our welfare; for the promotion of true joy and peace in our hearts. This has been the experience of all saints, and that is why they have been able to say it was good for them to be afflicted;

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.” (Psalm 119:67).

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71).

“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:11).

“To those that love God” – The Word “love” as it is used here is “Agapao” which means to love unconditionally and sacrificially. This describes the love which God Himself is. This is the only place in Romans where Paul wrote of the believer’s love for God; everywhere else he referred to God’s love for the believer.

The present tense indicates that agapao is a believer’s lifestyle or habit of life. Believers are not perfect but the general direction of their life is to show love toward God by being obedient to Him and His Word. This verse is true of Christians and only of Christians. It is not a blanket promise to the whole human race, because God’s purpose is to make His children, which are Christians, to be like His Beloved Son one day.

“To those who are called” – In the New Testament, the word “kletos” is generally used to describe one who has accepted a calling or an invitation to become a guest or member of a select group. We have been invited by God in the proclamation of the Gospel to obtain eternal salvation in the Kingdom through Jesus Christ. The called refers to the sovereign, regenerating work of God in a believer’s heart that brings one to new life in Christ.

The two descriptions, “those that are called” and “those that love God,” act with one another as cause and effect. Those who love God are necessarily those who are called. The call produces the response of love to Him who calls, and God gives eternal life to those who have heard the call and have responded down in their hearts. They have come to Christ of their own free will. The people who were called according to God’s purpose are, therefore, those who were effectively called. They are those whose hearts and minds were so thoroughly influenced by the Holy Spirit that they became aware of their sinfulness, began to understand their need of Christ, and embraced him as their Lord and Savior.
That is why in the New Testament “called” is used to denote those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.” (1 Corinthians 1:2).

“But to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24).

“These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14).

“According to His purpose” – God’s purpose is to make us like His Son, Jesus Christ, and His purpose will always succeed.

The comforting truth of Romans 8:28 is based on God’s sovereignty. If all things work together for good, all events, all circumstances, all trials, all happenings, then it follows that God is over all things and controls all things. An All-Wise, All-Loving, Just, Good God is in complete control of all things in your life!

In order to help put this in perspective, I want to tell you a story that I read about a shipwreck. When the sole survivor reached a small, uninhabited island, he prayed for God to rescue him, but help didn’t come. Eventually he built a hut out of driftwood for protection from the elements. One day he returned from scavenging for food and found his hut in flames, the smoke rising into the sky. Angrily he cried,

“God, how could You do this to me?”

The next morning he was awakened by rescuers.

“How did you know I was here?” he asked.

“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.

The next time it seems as if your last hope has gone up in smoke, remember what “we know” to be true (Romans 8:28). When God says that all things work together for good to those who love Him, He means ALL things!

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, it is so comforting to me that You are in charge, that You know what is best for me, and that it will all work out for good. Your knowledge is absolute and mine is limited. I want to learn to trust You better so that when I am going through a trial I immediately yield it all to You. I know in my heart that no matter what is going on, You are always working all things together for good for me. Help me to see my disappointments and trials as a time to grow closer in trusting Your direction and protection. I know that my life is not controlled by impersonal forces such as chance, luck, or fate, instead it is controlled by You, my Wonderful, Personal, Good, Just, Lord, Who is Loving, Wise and Perfect. Father, I call on You today. Forgive me for a lack of faith. I know that one day I will look back and praise You because I will see that You were right in withholding the very thing that I thought that I had to have or letting me go through what I dreaded more than anything, because it was for my good. I know that no matter what I am going though, You are right here with me. You will never ever forsake or abandon me and one day soon my trial will end. I lean on You today for the strength I need. Help me to remember, when things look bad, never ever forget: God is Good. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.