40 Favorite Scriptures

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 FAVORITE Scriptures
Day  35 | ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD
ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

Romans 8:28
“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.”
(KJV)

First, not everything that happens in life is good. A terrorist attack is not good; a heart attack is not good; a car accident is not good. But this verse does not promise that only good will happen to us. It does promise that God can make all the things in our lives work together for good – for we who love God.

Secondly, God does permit tragedies sometimes to happen. Sometimes, He allows Satan to create mayhem, but He doesn’t allow Satan to triumph. For we who love God, He can and does take the events of our lives and ultimately mix them together for good.

Our definition of “good” tends to be in creature comforts: money, health, friends, and family. But compare that to Jesus’ life – he was tempted by Satan, hated by many, experienced much ingratitude, and was ultimately put to death. Yet God worked all those together into the greatest story ever told!

Ultimately, each of us must decide whether we will trust God or not. Are we going to walk with Him and trust Him even when our world seems to be falling apart, or only during the good times?

Job lost everything but showed his great faith in God when he said, “Though He slays me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15) And you should read the ending of that story in Job!

We often say, “God is good … all the time.”  And that is true! But don’t forget that we live in a broken, sinful world where Satan is the prince – for now – so not everything that happens in this life will be good. But God can and will work all things together for the good of those who love Him.

Prayer: LORD, I do trust You. I don’t always understand – but then – You’re God, and I’m not. Thank You for working all things in my life, ultimately for my good. Amen.