If God Is For Us: Seven Days Of Celebrating The Power Of God’s GraceSample

OUR ASSURANCE Often when we think of the word good, our minds typically go straight to our happiness and well-being. God’s goodness to us must mean, we imagine, that He will make our lives easier or more pleasant and that everything will turn out the way we want it. But some years back I experienced a time when I knew that God was working all things for my good, but it looked and felt much more like death. I had been praying that the Lord would help me with a relational conflict. I knew that I needed help, but I had no idea how to solve this particular problem. I was lost and confused. Why was this so hard? None of my other relationships had been quite like this one, so trying to work it out was more complicated than I’d ever imagined. Then God answered my prayers—by seeing things rip apart. Bit by bit, it all came undone. Tensions grew and grew, and I was pretty sure that things would be irreconcilable on this earth. But wait—is that even Christian? Can relationships really be unreconciled and glorify God? The “good” that Paul speaks of in Romans 8:28 has long been debated by scholars and theologians because the apostle does not fully spell out what he means. What we do know is that the text surrounding this verse points to the Spirit’s intercession, God’s salvation, and our ultimate well-being in Christ. From this I think we can comfortably conclude that Paul is not referencing material rewards or pleasures that are apart from the Spirit’s work in our lives. Ultimately what is good is first, the transformation that takes place in our hearts as we walk out our faith, and second, the glory that is to come. Today you may be living through a situation that simply doesn’t seem good, and yet your heavenly Father is whispering, “Oh, dear one, trust Me!” He knows all things and is indeed working all things for the good of those who love Him. He is not withholding good from you. It isn’t in His character to do so. Even what might appear like death will one day be revealed as His ultimate good in your life. [Illustrations included in this devotional are not visible in this view. Illustrations are only supported in the Bible App for iOS, Android, and at Bible.com]