Romans 8:28 We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.
With these words, Paul keeps building on the positive results of belonging to God in Christ. He has been brutally honest about sin and why we need Jesus. Now Paul builds further on what it means to have God as our Father. In a nutshell, it means that in all things God works for our good. It’s easy to misunderstand this statement. It does not say that all things are good. Nor does it say that all things will turn too good. In line with what he wrote earlier, Paul affirms that becoming children of God does not mean that automatically all that we do is only good. Sin and evil and even our own selves still get in the way. But this passage wonderfully clarifies God’s involvement in our lives. In fact, God is involved in all matters in our lives. God doesn’t just observe what I do, or judge or challenge or encourage. God himself “gets his hands dirty” by getting involved in my life. That’s partnership. And it means that what is going on in my life is never the end of the story. No matter how difficult or challenging or depressing my daily life might become, God is still doing something to work for good. I’m not the only one working on God’s goal for my life. God is right there with me all the way. How awesome in that!
Heavenly Father, thank you for your hand in my life. I know that’s what I need. Thank you that in all things you work for the good of those who love you. In Jesus, Amen.
