An old familiar friend

Romans 8:28 is one of the most familiar Bible verses to every confessing Christian, or, at least, should be. That wonderful passage is a priceless and precious promise from the Lord to every one of His children. The words written there are a Divine pledge that has provided peace and assurance to scores of saints for centuries. It would be impossible to rightly reckon the untold millions of believers that have leaned on this text, over and over again, to find hope and purpose when life has been turned upside down. 

Let me include the passage here, just in case you aren’t fully familiar with it. Romans 8:28 states, “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.” 

I would like to take a few minutes and challenge you to join me in giving this particular passage some careful thought. 

The first thing I would like to point out is this: if the God who made this promise is not who He claims to be, we would be beyond foolish to trust in one word! Think about that. Sure, some weak, frail, impotent deity could say the same thing, but only a fool would place any confidence in such a claim. But the God who made this promise is not like the make-believe idols of men. Instead, this is a covenant commitment made by the Almighty Governor of the Universe. The Bible reveals God to be wise, loving, just, holy, good, righteous, all-powerful, all-knowing, immutable, Sovereign, and much more. If God is not all these things, then He cannot make a promise like the one in this verse. Further still, if God is not in complete control of all things, those words are more than improbabilities; they are fanciful lies. Yet, not only can the One True God make a pledge like this, He can back it up! 

But also notice that the writer uses the words “we know.” He doesn’t say we hope, or we are optimistic, or that we are hopeful. Rather, the inspired apostle says, “We know …” Friend if you are a believer, this guarantee from God is something you can KNOW for sure. God will indeed work all things together for good to those who love Him. 

However, you will note that the text does not say all things are good; it says, “All things work together for good.” Any given situation may indeed be awful, heartbreaking and more. While each individual circumstance may not be good (or pleasant), when all the events of the Christian’s earthly existence are combined over a lifetime, they will indeed work together for their spiritual and eternal good. I recognize it takes faith to believe this, but faith must indeed cling to this commitment because the God who cannot lie has given us His word. And His word can always be depended on. 

Finally, I ask you to observe that this promise is not extended to everyone. Once more, consider these words, “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.” This covenant commitment is only aimed at God’s covenant people. The promise is only for those who “love God’ and are “the called” according to His purpose. This begs the question, do you love God? Have you been called into the right relationship with the God of the Bible? Are you saved? If you are not, then this promise is not yours. 

If, however, you are indeed a Christian who loves God and is loved by God … and you have been effectually brought into a soul-saving relationship with this God, then this wonderful promise belongs to you. And can be relied upon no matter what life throws your way. 

I do not pretend to know why God allows all He does, nor why He sometimes allows His children to have some incredibly difficult days and tear-filled nights. There are times when, like all people, I question God—wondering why He doesn’t intervene. Or how on earth this specific circumstance can possibly serve some higher good? Though we may struggle to understand how … faith compels Christians to remember God can do what we cannot. He will indeed weave together every event of the life of every believer into a sanctifying tapestry that will ultimately make them more like Jesus. 

No, that is not always easy to believe … but Romans 8:28 guarantees it to be true. Christian, that passage should be like an old familiar friend that you can call upon over and again to find comfort amid life’s most painful trials. Read that verse often. Commit it to memory. Recite it to yourself when your world is upside down. It will be like medicine for your troubled soul. Those words remind us that Christians can find hope and purpose in every life situation, no matter how trying. 

When the pain (in whatever form) will not allow you to think clearly or spiritually, remember this, dear saint: God is doing something in your life. He hasn’t abandoned you. Rather, the Almighty has divinely orchestrated, down to the most minute detail, every circumstance around you and in you in such a careful and loving way that He will work all things together for your good and His glory. 

What a gracious and wise God this is! He can and should be trusted … come what may.