Passage of the Day: Romans 8: 28 [NIV] … 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Rom. 8: 28 - Other Versions - NKJV - 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.
The Message – That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Amplified - We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
My Journal for Today: If you were here yesterday reading my journal entry, I wrote that belief in and application of Romans 8: 28 is definitely one of the scriptural measures of the maturity of our Christian walk. Henceforth, above I have put several Scripture versions of this well known verse. And you will note that to believe in the reality and truth of this passage, the believer must have an understanding of God’s providence.
God works His purposes in this world and in our lives in two primary ways: Through His miracles and through His providence. Yes, God is still in the miracle business. Any father who has been a witness of child being born has been a witness of a miracle of the Creator, whether he acknowledges it as such or not. However, I agree with John MacArthur in his devotional for this date in Strength for Today that God usually does not use miracles in this church age the same way He did when Jesus walked with His disciples. Therefore, God’s providence is His primary way of unfolding His will for the lives of His children.
In Genesis (50: 20), Joseph had confidence in God’s providence as once abandoned son of God related to his brothers how God had turned a very bad thing (their hate, jealousy, and murderous intent) into God’s own good. The Apostle Paul expressed faith in the strength of Christ to get him through all things – bad and good (see Phil. 4: 11 – 13). And if we really believe in the truth of Romans 8: 28, we will see that even the trials and tribulations of life are expressions of God’s providence to write good into our lives for his glory.
We have a tendency of seeing only the comfortable and pleasurable as “blessings” in our lives; when, in fact, God probably blesses us for His good the most when we are ushered into the most challenging circumstances of life. Yes, it is from God’s providence, and/or maybe even His occasional miracle, that we go through some of the toughest times of our lives so that we can best do what Jesus spoke of in Matt. 5: 16 … to shine our light (i.e., His light in the midst of darkness) so that others can see Him and God, the Father, will be glorified.
So, may we ALWAYS see that ALL THINGS work together for our good as Christians in this life.
My Prayer Today: Lord, help me to see all of my life as Your good providence. Amen
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