All Things

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“…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).

“All things”? Can you think of some things from which you don’t anticipate any good coming? Perhaps the death of a loved one, struggles with addiction, a troubled marriage, depression, the loss of a job—the list could go on and on.

Yet, here it is in scripture, the inerrant word of God: “in all things God works for the good of those who love him . . .”

Well, “all things” really does mean “all things”—the good and the bad.  Think about medicine for a moment. The chemicals used to compound medicine can be, in and of themselves, very dangerous and can cause great harm. But when these same chemicals are mixed with other chemicals, a safe product is formulated that can cause healing. All the chemicals were worked together to bring about something good—Tylenol for our headaches, Robitussin for our cough, and Visine products for our itchy watery eyes.

Just as a chemist is able to take toxic substances, mix them with other substances, and create something beneficial, God is able to take toxic circumstances, mix in His wisdom and love, and work for the “good of those who love him.”

Yes, in order to claim this promise, you must love God! There may be a whole list of things at which others are better. But the one thing God is certainly looking for you to achieve is the first and great commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27).

If you love Him, this promise is for you! Expect the “good” to come forth no matter what circumstance you are facing. As you do this, bear in mind that good doesn’t necessarily come in the form of happiness and healthiness.

Well, “what’s the point?” you ask.

This answer is found in Romans 8:29: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son . . .”

That’s the point. The “good” that all things are working together for is to make us like Jesus, to be conformed to the image of His Son. God’s goal is not to make us healthy and happy but rather to make us holy! Adrian Rogers put it this way, “If the goal of our lives is not to be like Jesus, that goal is too small. Our goal must be to be conformed to the image of God’s Son.”

Let’s remember the promise of Romans 8:28: “for all the promises of God find their Yes in him” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT).

ALL the promises? Yes, ALL of them, including this one!

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