“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” March 26, 2019

 

How many times have you heard or even said, “It is going to be okay.” A popular section of a passage of Scripture Christians often quote goes like this, “God works all things for the good of those who love Him”. While this sounds great, the reality of most people is somewhat different than what is said which leads many believers to doubt that God’s Word is actually true here and in other places.

 

As always, it is best to make sure that we are keeping the Word of God in context and be careful with the way it is able to be twisted to make it easier to deal with and follow. The section of Scripture that most people quote to others and remind themselves of in times of difficulty actually reads, “27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 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. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:27-30, NKJV).

 

Yes, it does say that “…all things work together for good to those who love God…” That is vastly different than saying, “God works all for the good of those who love Him.” The impression many people give is that God is going to miraculously make this failure, mistake, tragedy, or loss something that turns out to be something that is not what it seems. Let us be honest. There are some things that happen to us or those that we love which have no silver lining, no value that can be seen even years later, and are nothing more than senseless acts of violence and tragedy. So, what is this verse literally saying that should be encouragement to us rather than something to appease people in the midst of hardship? There are qualifiers that Apostle Paul was inspired to write so that people would not get the wrong idea about the things God does or which He allows to happen. God knows the heart of all people, but is intimately changing the hearts of those by intercession through His Spirit to help them conform to His will.

 

Everything that happens in life God will use in the life of His child to teach, strengthen, reveal Himself, and prepare them for eternity. God knows all people for He has created everyone. Those who choose to turn to Him in faith He can activate the specific plan that He desired them to fulfill before they were ever born. This comes about because the Sprit of God resides within the life of His child to conform them to Christ’s image as the “2 …author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV).

 

Every tragedy, loss, and pain does not have a silver lining. There are things that happen to us which cannot be explained away or justified. This does not make the Word of God false since God never once promised the silver lining or justification for every tragedy that is encountered in life. God has said that He has a plan for those who trust Him, and whatever we go through will be used to teach us to depend upon and lean on God more than ourselves or anything else.

 

It is better to say, “We just have to trust God’s righteousness and justice through this time”, rather than trying to convince ourselves or others that everything will be okay. Sometimes, everything is not okay; the pain remains, the tears last for years, and the scars are constant reminders. God is still faithful, righteous, just, and good regardless of these things and can be trusted. In Him alone there is hope for tomorrow.

 

Praying beyond the physical: Father, help me to always look to You instead of depending upon others who are depending upon You. Jesus, help me to remember Your sufferings that You call me to join You in so I am not so discouraged in pain. Spirit, help me to overcome despair by continually submitting to the changes You are making within me. Pastor Tom