Incredible
Lesson One • Amen
Devotion 7: Incredible
Pastor Chuck Lindsey
“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, NKJV
One of the most incredible promises from God is that He will work every situation out for our good.
When I say incredible, I mean it in the truest sense of the word. It is hard to believe it. When we really consider what that means, it hardly seems like it can be true. Does He mean every single thing? Will every little thing that happens work out for my personal good? What kind of power is needed to turn each situation into good? What kind of focus and effort is needed to control everything so that every person can affect everything for good? What kind of wisdom is required to understand everything and know exactly what is needed to bring about good in every situation? What kind of attention must be given to my individual life to bring about this good, what feels like a million random circumstances? It is a shocking promise! If it is true, it is nothing short of a miracle accomplished 1,000 times and even 10,000 times a day.
It is true. Our God really does “work” all things together for our good. The word “work” there means that everything that happens to us, is used by God to accomplish His goals for us. The circumstances of life which often seem so ordinary, random, or meaningless, are transformed into special, direct, and useful tools in the hands of our King in the lives of those that love Him.
If you love the Lord Jesus, you cannot lose. Because of this great truth, whatever happens to you helps you. Some examples can help:
If I lose my job, the Lord uses this to teach me and grow me and my trust in Him. He provides in amazing ways and eventually brings me to what is good and even better for me.
If I am slandered and maligned, I am taught by Him to suffer patiently (as He did) and look to Him for help. I end up rejoicing that I am counted worthy to suffer for His name.
If I am sick, my sickness can drive me deep into His love for me and point unsaved family and friends to the only source of life.
This great truth led Paul to write just a few verses later the words, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NKJV)