All Things

The message was brought by Rev. Eddie Foster on Feb 16, 2025.

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.

At times we look at this verse with a certain amount of doubt.  All–not some–things work out for my good.  In the storms and pressures of life, God can work it out to bring good.  The old song says “we’ll understand it all by and by”. But when we get there, will it even matter?  We see things and wonder why. In spite of negative things in life, Romans 8:28 is still true. God works ALL THINGS out for our good.  This doesn’t mean that all things will be good. Evil is prevalent, but God is still able to turn things around for our long-range good.  I can’t see past this moment. Every situation in life will work to make us better.  Through ups and downs, God has always been good to me!

How does bad work for our good?  Look at it like a soup recipe. There is an ingredient that you really don’t like, so you leave it out when you make it.  The soup doesn’t taste like it should. It needed that ingredient added to make it taste right. A person who’s never been in the valley will never appreciate a mountain top.  How does temptation work for our good?  First, remember if you’re tempted to do wrong it comes from the devil, not the Lord. God tempts no person to do evil. Usually, temptation will bring trials. These can make us stronger down the road. Chastisement works for our good. A father chastens his children. God does the same for his children. If God chastens us, we can be sure we deserve it. We should stop and thank him for corrections. It proves his love. Discipline is proof that we are his children. The Bible says if God doesn’t chasten and discipline us when we sin, then we are not his. You’re in trouble if that’s the case. We’ve all sinned and come short. Nothing, in and of ourselves, is good outside of the Lord. I’m thankful for a spanking from God when I do wrong. No discipline is enjoyable at the time. No child ever asked for it. It’s not to make us feel good, but to help us become better.  Affliction works for our good when we learn more about the statutes of God through it.

Don’t give in. Don’t give up. That’s what Elijah did when he ran from wicked Jezebel. A prime example of a person who had multiple bad things happen to him is Joseph. Hated by his brothers. Sold into slavery. Spent time in prison when he did nothing wrong. When it was over years later, he said his brothers meant it for evil but God meant it for good. Joseph became second in charge of Egypt. Some get mad at God in response to trials or chastisements. They blame him for what’s going on. Blame the devil, not God. Others accept it and learn by allowing it to make them better. Joseph didn’t allow all that happened to him to make him bitter. He let God work it out for his good.  God can work it out for us too.

How do good things work for our good? We see God’s power in times of trouble. Look at Jonah or the three Hebrew children thrown in a fiery furnace. He supplies the need. He preserved oil in a cruze for years. He can see that we don’t go hungry too.  We see God’s wisdom as he guides our lives. He holds tomorrow. Let him guide. We see his promises work for us. The Bible has many promises. John tells us that if we confess our sin that God is faithful to forgive us. He’s with us in times of trouble. In our trials, God is there. Our needs?  He will supply them. He gives me more than I deserve.  He has never abandoned me. Did you know the angels work for us? They stopped the mouth of the lions for Daniel. They carried Lazarus to Abraham’s bosom when he died. They’ve scooped up many of our loved ones into their arms and carried them out of this life to meet the Lord.  The prayers of other Christians work for us. Don’t stop praying for others.  Jesus also prays for us by interceding on our behalf to the Father.

Do you believe God can take you through your situation and make good out of it? Trust him always. God will always work ALL THINGS out for your good.