All Things Work Together For Good?

Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." ESV

This is really a great verse - and its one of those that I think you can pluck out of Romans and let it stand on its own without much context. But I also think there is an interesting twist on this if you look at within the scope of what Paul is saying in that chapter of Romans.

On the surface we may interpret this verse as saying "God will work out everything so that I'll feel good about it." Yet if Paul used that logic he would feel like a dismal failure. Many times he was stoned, beaten, yelled at, thrown in jail - all for doing something good: preaching the gospel.

In fact, if you look in Romans 8 he also says "For your sake we are being killed all day long." This doesn't sound like everything is working out okay at all.

There's a song I love by Casting Crowns on their Lifesong album called "Praise You in This Storm." Here is one of the lines:

"I was sure by now that you would have reached down and wipe our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day, but once again I say "amen" and its still raining."

In reality, "working out for good" doesn't mean it works out for good as we see it. It works out for good as God sees it, and sometimes God sees it good that we suffer - like Paul.

So what should we hold on to then? Look at verses 37-38:

"37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

First realize that although it may appear like defeat - God is working behind the scenes to reach His victory - and that no matter what, your connection to God and His love can never be broken - no matter what.

In fact, though, verse 37 is also true. We are more than conquerors. Through Jesus we have conquered the most evil enemy there is: death. Beyond that, no enemy can be that terrible.

So when you are in the midst of struggle and defeat seems all around you - remember that it is God's good that is being worked out, the Spirit is praying for you (verse 26) and that nothing can separate you from your God - nothing!