Monday Thoughts……
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.-Romans 8:28
The past few months have been filled with many ups and downs for me. I have experienced times filled with great joy but also great sorrows. When I first became a Christian, I thought this verse was crap. How could ALL THINGS work together for good? I couldn’t believe that ALL the terrible things that happened to good people could work together for good. Sounded like a load of hippy crap to me. Oh was I wrong. This verse is thrown out a lot in “feel good” sermons. Well I challenge you to keep reading.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Holy crap. That is some good stuff right there! We were Predestined to be CONFORMED to the IMAGE OF HIS SON. We are saints, baby! Not only were we made in the image of Christ, we were also called, justified, and glorified. Pretty much, what is being said here is you were CALLED. If we follow that calling, we are justified (to show (an act, claim, statement, etc.) to be just or right). Not only are we justified, we are also glorified. Glorify-to cause to be or treat as being more splendid, excellent, etc., than would normally be considered. So because if we are doing his will for our lives, loving God, and serving others, then he is going to work ALL things together for good. So no matter what crap comes your way, he is going to somehow work it out for the better. That doesn’t say that things wont hurt you, and that you wont feel defeated from time to time, but it should give you serious hope. We should be able to find rest in the fact that, even if we dont understand what is going on in our lives at the time, God has a plan for us.
Now for the tough part. If we are walking apart from God, and not carrying out his calling on our lives, then he isnt going to work all things together for good. It says “for those who love God”. It doesnt say, for anyone and everyone. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. We are called as Christians to surrender our lives. “Our lives” are now dead. It isnt about what we want for ourselves, it is about what He wants for us. His plan, not ours. Most of us know that how difficult it can be waiting on Gods timing. We are impatent people, but His plan is always a million times better than what we could ever plan for ourselves. We can find REAL HOPE in Romans 8:28. A hope that the world will not understand. A peace that the world will not understand. A peace that allows you to remain calm in adversity and trails, because we KNOW the truth. We know that God will work all things together for good. If you are going through rough times, seek God and then sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Doors will open, prayers will be answered, and He will provide.
