We know
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 (Romans 8:28).
Romans 8:28 is a verse that we often share and use to encourage ourselves in trying circumstances. But it is sometimes used in the same way as the expression, “It will be all right in the end.” Life’s difficulties can be caused by our lack of faith, bad decisions, or even sin. But often, the situations we face are allowed by God for reasons we may never understand before we reach heaven (1 Corinthians 13:12). When this happens, we can react in different ways. We can allow the things we pass through to embitter us and cause us to be tormented by constantly asking why God allows us to go through such experiences. Equally, we can put a brave face on things and battle through the difficulties, not learning from them, but simply enduring them. But I don’t think Paul wrote Romans 8:28 just to get us through. He does give us hope, reminding us that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (v. 18). He also explains that part of our experience is a groaning within ourselves, “eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (v. 23). But then Paul adds “the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses … He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (vv. 26-27). Further, he declares nothing can “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v. 39). These verses are positive encouragements which, in the midst of the trials of life, lift our spirits and empower our lives.
The Lord Jesus accepted the will of His Father in the garden of Gethsemane with the words, “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42). A short time later, when Peter sought to defend the Lord with a sword, Jesus said, “Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” (John 18:11). Hebrews 10:9 describes the Lord as doing the will of God, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” The Lord is presented, not as one who is passively under the will of God, but as the Person who is wholly and powerfully committed, and able to accomplish it.
God does not intend for us to be dominated by our circumstances and fatalistically endure them. He wants us to know His presence and comfort in every circumstance, and experience the overcoming victory and peaceful assurance of faith. The Lord’s final words from the cross were victorious, “It is finished” (John 19:30) and peaceful, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit’” (Luke 23:46). God wants us to learn spiritually what He taught the Children of Israel at the very beginning of their wilderness journey, when they came to the bitter waters of Marah at the end of Exodus 15. What made those bitter waters sweet? The Lord showed Moses a tree which he cast into the waters, and they became sweet. This is a beautiful illustration of the Lord’s love at Calvary. This love gives us eternal salvation. And we are also to apply it to our present circumstances. In doing so, we discover it heals bitterness and empowers victorious faith and hope. It also gives us the genuine and joyful knowledge that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
