All Things Working Together

Earlene Davis

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

We love this verse. It is a wonderful comforting promise for the afflicted. May we lay hold of this truth. Yes, we do know this, but we all have to be reminded, again and again that God is causing the things that come our way to work for our good. We  see God’s hand working good for us when we are enjoying His blessings; but often we don’t see God in the troubles and hurts we experience. 

Of course we don’t want to suffer or be hurt in any manner. One of the reasons we fail to see God’s hand in our trials, is because they often come through human instruments. Our focus then is not of faith, because our focus is on somebody’s failure or carelessness or ignorance. We think, why did God allow this to happen to me? We know God is not the author of such things, but He does allow these things, to test our faith. We can’t become an overcomer if we don’t have things to overcome.

I am reminded of that man of the family of Saul that cursed David and threw stones at him and his servants and all the people with him (II Sam. 16). One of David’s men wanted permission from David to take off this man’s head. David said, let him course because the Lord has bidden him to do so. It may be the Lord will look on mine affliction and requite me good for his cursing this day. David and all the people became weary, but they refreshed themselves. We also get weary in our trials, and we need to refresh ourselves in the Lord, seeking His comfort. 

We know God is over everything. He knows what He is doing and it is for our ultimate good. David in his submission trusted God. We also can say, “Thy will be done Lord.” There is a comfort, even sweetness while we are wounded, when we trust God in troubling times. If we only see our trials as inflicted by men, we become bitter. We don’t want to give Satan any credit, but receive everything as from the Lord. I was blessed to learn an important lesson from my Grandmother, for she saw God in Everything. 

I Peter 4:12-19, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings…Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” Everything that comes to God’s children, comes from the Father’s hand; no matter who may have been the apparent agent.

Jesus said in Mt. 10:29-31, Our Father knows when one sparrow falls to the ground…fear not for you are of more value than many sparrows. And in Phil. 4:6 we are admonished not to be anxious about anything, but bring it to God in prayer, accompanied with thanksgiving. How can we do that? I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Also consider Rom. 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves … Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” May we just let the Lord handle the situation. We don’t even have to defend ourselves.

Heb. 13:5, “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Rom. 8:31-39, “…What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? …He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Lord says in Isa. 43:2, When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee…” He was with Joseph when he was sold as a slave. He was with Daniel in the lions den. He was with the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace. He was with Paul and Silas when they were cast in prison. 

We read in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” He knows our hurts, all things are under His control. Nothing can touch us except He allows it and then He is working it all together for our good. Even when God corrects us for yielding to the flesh. He corrects us because He loves us (Heb. 12:6). 

God knows what is best for us. He allowed the sin of Joseph’s brothers to work good for him. Even the sins of others, God will work for our good.

II Cor. 4:17, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

So when the unpleasant comes our way, may we have faith to accept it as from the lord. When we can thank Him for it as His will, then we have overcome and God is glorified. His will is sweet whether in joy or sorrow. We can have rest and joy in our spirit. Our Shepherd leads us to green pastures and refreshing waters.

II Cor. 2:14, “…thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…”