ROMANS 8:28-30 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

THEME OF THE DAY: ALL THINGS REALLY MEANS ALL THINGS.   Today’s scripture is a familiar text for seasoned Christians.  More than likely, we have either received it as counsel from believers wanting to encourage us in tough times by reminding us “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” or perhaps we gave the same advice to a hurting brother or sister. And it is good advice, just be careful when offering it.  Be sensitive to the level of hurt the recipient of your advice is experiencing.  It might not be the most appropriate text to use for comfort when the spiritual lights are out and darkness engulfs the heart, and yes, both occur in the lives of Christians.

But when giving the advice to others or heeding it ourselves, there are two words to anchor our hearts on. They are “all things.”  God does not say that “I will work some things in your life for good.”  Nor does He say, “I will select what things in your life I want to work for your good.”  He said, “I will work all things for good in your life.”

I had a college professor who taught Romans in my undergraduate program.  When he came to today’s reference and the two words “all things”, he said, “All means all and that is all that all means!”  His words sounded catchy and funny, at first, but it has a rather profound and simple meaning.  It stops us in our tracks, preventing us from overthinking the work of God in our lives.  “All things” means all things and must include our failures, our sins, our mistakes, our impulsiveness, our bad decisions . . . and everything else. This truth shows us the wisdom of God, the goodness of God, the power of God, and even the love of God.  What a God who takes everything in our lives and uses them for our good. And now the question must be asked and answered . . . what is the good God is doing with all things in our lives?  It’s found in verse 29 and we must always connect it to verse 28 for both combined point us to what good God is doing with all things in our lives . . .

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29).

So, when we come across Romans 8:28-29, and we want to share it with hurting brothers and sisters, or we are receiving these truths for ourselves, stop and make sure we meditate on all things.  Remember, all means all and that is all that all means.

PRAYER: Father, thank You that You are faithful even when I doubt and struggle with trusting You in all things.

REFLECTION: All things means all things and that means just that … all things.  Rest in Him who rules all things.