Everything for Our Good

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).

Not everybody can say, “Don’t worry, everything will work out.” Because everything does not work out for everybody. Everything only works out for God’s children. You may be sitting there thinking “Well, I’m not a child of God, and everything is working out for me.” I submit to you that ultimately if you die, and spend eternity without God, things really didn’t work out for you.

You may not always like what God is doing in your life, and you may not always understand what God is doing in your life. But you can know that God is involved in your life 24-7 making all things work together for your good. Think about that. This verse did not say that God works all things out for our good most of the time, nor does it say that God works most things out for our good all of the time. It says God works all things out together for our good all of the time.

Now, it doesn’t say that we "see that all things work together for good.” But you can know it whether you can see it or not. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean he can’t see it. Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light. That does not mean that all things that happen to us are good. As you well know, everything that happens to you is not good. But everything that happens to you will ultimately work together for your good. 

Behind every promise of God is the providence of God. Do you know what the word providence means? It comes from two words: the word pro meaning “before,” and the word video meaning, “to see.” Providence simply means to see beforehand and to provide for what is seen. Do you hear that word “provide” in the word providence? The providence of God simply means that God sees every event before it occurs, and provides for that event and makes sure that it fits into His plan for your life. 

Normally we would think that thanking God for a flat tire would be crazy, but now we know that we can give thanks “in all things.” Good does not necessarily mean health, because not all Christians are healthy. It does not necessarily mean wealth, because not all Christians are wealthy. God’s purpose for you is neither to be healthy or happy, nor to be rich or famous. His purpose for you is found in that next verse, Romans 8:29, where Paul said, we have been “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. God’s purpose for you is to be just like Jesus. 

The best thing that can ever happen to you in this life is not to make millions of dollars, not to become famous, not to live in a mansion, not to drive a Mercedes. The best thing that can ever happen to you in this life is to become just like Jesus. And because God is working everything in the life of the Christ-follower to that ultimate end, we can know He works everything for our good.