Every Moment (August 31, 2009)

Perhaps when we lose a job, fail to make the cut, get dumped, or lose someone we care about, we often hear the verse "...in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." (see Romans 8:28). This is seen as a word of comfort, and yet it can also be misunderstood and misapplied.

Let's look at the verse in its immediate context (read also the surrounding verses/chapters for a greater context): "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. 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." (verses 28 and 29)

What does it mean for God to work for the good of His children? Does it mean that everything will be easy? Or that we'll always get what we want when we want it? Or that our current problems will all be fixed according to our solutions?

Or does it mean that He will work something even better--a good even greater? For what could be more blessed than to be conformed to the image of Jesus? "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son..."

And since God is sovereign over all, we can take comfort in this. Let us seek out His work in every situation and moment, longing for the greatest good at all times: conformity to the image of Christ by God's grace and work and sovereignty.