“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots”  @  https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com

Original post @ https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com/2024/07/17/god-works-in-all-things/

God Works in All Things . . .

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Beth Andrews

“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” (Romans 8:28).

It is one of the most quoted verses to encourage others in difficulty. You’ve probably heard some variations of it:

“God works all things to good.”
“God makes all things good.”
“It’s all good.”

I know that might seem helpful in hard times – but if we’re going to quote the Bible, we need to quote it correctly.

When Paul says that “God works for the good” he isn’t saying God’s going to make all bad things good. He is saying God is working for the good, even in the bad things. He may not change the bad thing to a good thing, but He will ultimately bring something good from it. But don’t miss the qualifier: “God works for . . . those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

God works on behalf of His beloved. Does that seem unfair? Hold that thought for just a minute – I’m coming back to it. It’s important to know that and let’s read a little further: “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers” (v. 29).

God works all things for one good purpose: that His beloved child would be conformed to the likeness of His Son. That explains the qualifier – God cannot fulfill His purpose in someone who does not love Him. Surrender is the mark of love – and God can only work in those who have surrendered to His Son. That’s what it means to be a child of God.

Do you see the greater picture and how it applies to your life? God is working in and through all things to bring about His one good purpose for you as His child – that you might look just like Jesus. Like a master sculptor, He looks at His Son and applies the hard blows of the chisel to shape and mold you into the image before Him. You must understand that God is not just working to make all your bad things into good things, He is working to make you into a beautiful reflection of perfection. That’s the purpose He has for you, Beloved. Now that’s an encouraging word!

****************************************

P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit:  https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=9267af3241730e66&rlz=1C1UEAD_enUS1112US1112&sxsrf=ADLYWILveDuk7C79jLCNlscYNlJlI4DFmA:1722600695441&q=image+rom+8:28&udm=2&source=univ&fir=vFYu0l5O5GApqM%252CzGxWBNrv2V-Y2M%252C_%253B68faFj6Nfp1wwM%252Cg7XTEmfMzjX4XM%252C_%253BZTN8m0jdTfQdgM%252CX2CSO-uN-IDfVM%252C_%253BmaZnPDhe630suM%252CTnE44AYxQtMzcM%252C_%253BMfTROw9VJ5rJAM%252ClN8L-LAghzypOM%252C_%253BagTMQK1TIUcrUM%252CfD_RP5vWcpNFRM%252C_%253Bo0kKIcB7vTPVIM%252C_X3cf-coGQveIM%252C_%253BvkT4n6-IZFOMAM%252CWUXNuNY_qOnrKM%252C_%253BXcI9fBz1DVhwEM%252ChfFlmi7rbwygjM%252C_%253BWwN0rtaEA5z7tM%252CftbM6iY5af78-M%252C_%253B5-qGQIdQlM5zNM%252CWUXNuNY_qOnrKM%252C_%253BDTsbGzUmcopQjM%252CuKmilGeAnOTgWM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kSKpvp95FDCEA6eh6MjdFFrUF5Zsw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1m6rUo9aHAxVFmIkEHfTbDkMQ7Al6BAgeEAo&biw=1319&bih=910&dpr=1#vhid=z4iHmJs8O_np1M&vssid=mosaic