Two-minute read.
On a girls’ weekend with my friend Lori, we talked about God confirming things in our lives. When we hear a message from three different, random sources, we know the Lord’s trying to tell me something. During the weekend, I heard confirmation of God’s sovereignty in my life, and Lori heard confirmation of the truth of this verse. Three times, she saw or listened to the verse in different ways. At the time, my friend found herself in a pit, not her making, learning lessons she never thought she would have to learn. And looking back, God did work all things to the good for my friend who loves the Lord and follows His calling for her life.
When people quote today’s verse, they often leave off the end, “for those who love God and are called according to His purposes for them.” People intent on evil, who have turned their back on the Lord, don’t experience the goodness He offers in this verse. The Creator knows we will face struggles in our lives, and clinging to His promise helps us learn from our difficulties. The more we rely on the Savior, the more He will teach us as we follow Him.
Doing an online devotional with a friend, it talked about the living water Jesus offers us. When He died on the cross, and the spear pierced His side, blood and water came from the Savior’s side. The devotional highlighted the importance of the water and the life Christ gave us by His sacrifice on the cross. When we drink from the water Jesus offers, we will never thirst.
God’s Son faced every challenge we will face; He teaches us how to endure when we apply the Lord’s teachings to our lives. Knowing the Almighty’s promises helps us access them when we need them. Anytime trouble comes upon us, we can recall today’s verse and trust that God will make good come from it somehow, someway.
Getting a flat tire may seem like a bad thing, but if it keeps you from an accident, the bad becomes good. Losing a job seems hopeless in the moment, but when the loss leads you to an entirely new career you love, you begin thanking God for the good He brings from the situation. As many bad things that exist in the world, the Lord has the answer for them, and when we trust and follow Him, He will bring good from the bad.
We can’t understand all the whys in this world. But we can trust the one who does, and believe He will work all things to the good for those who believe and are called according to His purpose for them.
Journal Questions:
Describe a time when God worked things to the good for you?
How do you know when God’s telling you something?
What do you think God’s teaching you through your current struggles?
Application:
Gratitude trusts God’s purpose.
