In a recent movie on television, there was a line that stood out and stuck. An older mom told her soon-to-be daughter-in-law, referring to her son, “When you have kids of your own, then you’ll understand. No matter how old your children get or what they do, you want only what is best for them. Always.”
Isn’t that the truth? As a parent, we want only what is best for our kids — even if we know at the moment it means saying no to what they are asking us for.
Even if, at the moment, it means watching them get frustrated and hurt while learning to tie their shoes because we know it is ultimately good for them.
Never mind the bruises, cuts, and scrapes learning to ride a bike. We allow it because we know what is best for them in the long run.
Isn’t that what God is all about? The long run? Isn’t our Father more concerned with our eternity than with our momentary life here in this temporal world? Indeed, our God is sovereign. All-wise. All-powerful. All-knowing. More even than that — he is our Father.
We hear it often, don’t we? “God works all things for good.” It seems to be one of those pieces of Scripture most quoted by Christians.
But sometimes, we find it easier to say than to believe and trust. We find we may say it to others when times get tough, but do we believe it ourselves when those tough times are ours?
How often do we see others? Do we ourselves, pray for something specific, but that prayer is never answered quite in the way we asked? Someone we ask to be healed is not.
The dream job we wanted is offered to someone else. And often, much worse. Many events that transpire in our lives are definitely not good; in fact, they are decidedly bad.
There is so much evil in the world, so much that is going on around us that often the words are difficult to find comfort in. The challenges and problems in our own lives are often difficult to see how any good can come from them.
At times, it’s difficult to see how it could possibly be true. We simply need to look around us to see that all things are definitely not good.
And when times are tough, that is precisely when we need to lean in. To trust even more.
In all that God does, he is like a parent who knows what is best for us in the long run — even when it hurts in the present.
Biblical Examples of God’s Goodness
It might surprise you to know that Paul was not the first to speak of the notion that God works all things together for good. The notion is very well illustrated in the Book of Genesis (Chapters 37-50) in the Old Testament, in the life of Joseph.
You may already be aware that Joseph’s brothers found him to be…well, a little brother who they simply had no patience for, and they sold him into slavery.
In Egypt, Joseph goes through quite an ordeal, including being unjustly accused and wrongly imprisoned, then seemingly forgotten by his so-called friends.
But a gift from God — the ability to interpret Pharoah’s dreams — results in Pharoah ultimately placing Joseph in a position of great responsibility.
Then, a drought forces Joseph’s 11 brothers to seek food in Egypt, whereupon they find Joseph, who ultimately saves them from starvation and grants them a new life in Egypt.
It is quite clear that throughout his life, Joseph trusted God regardless of circumstances — both good and bad. Slavery, false accusations, imprisonment — through none of these did Joseph question his trust in God, nor did he ever shake his fist at God and ask, “Why, God?”
After the death of their father, Joseph’s brothers feared his retribution and revenge. When they questioned him about this, Joseph’s words to them reiterate the same attitude Paul teaches: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
Joseph knew in his heart that what his brothers had intended for evil, God intended to use for good. It doesn’t mean that Joseph was going to enjoy those difficult years or God was going to prevent evil. But ultimately, God’s plan would be fulfilled.
Paul’s life, too, is a testament to what he preaches, to how God works all things for good for those who love him. After what we can only imagine was a pretty good life as an up-and-coming Pharisee, Jesus then says about Paul, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:16).
Paul suffered much indeed – three days of blindness with longer-term impact, beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, prison, and ultimately execution — all part of God’s plan to spread the gospel message. Through all of it, Paul kept the faith, as God was working to bring about glorious eternal results.
Present Suffering and Future Glory
Paul spends most of Romans chapter 8 contrasting a life lived for fleshly desires to those who “…live in accordance with the Spirit and have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (v. 5).
He makes sure to tell us that we are children of God: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (v. 17, emphasis added).
Jesus never promised that everything would be perfect. In fact, he promised precisely the opposite, that we would have trouble, but to take heart — to trust in him — because he has overcome the world.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Jesus comforts us in our present troubles, knowing he has already overcome the world. He has already provided us with the path through. We need only trust it. In Romans 8:28, this is precisely what Paul is telling us. Trust God.
Those who love God can trust his promises. Can trust his goodness. And we can trust his capability to work all things for our good.
This does not mean that everything that happens will be good. It doesn’t mean we will get everything we want or desire. God will work things out as he sees and knows what is best for us. We can trust that his plan is always good.
We can take confidence that no matter what our circumstances, no matter what is happening in our lives, God is with us and is actively working to fulfill his perfect plan. His design. And that we are part of that perfect plan, as we have been “…called according to his purpose.”
And we need only look to Jesus, who suffered and died on the cross for us because he knew his sacrifice was necessary for us. God sent his only son as a sacrifice for us.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:2b-3).
God’s overwhelming concern is for our eternal salvation. He will do anything, allow anything, to ensure that we see an eternal future with him because our lives here are just a mist (James 4:14).
Trust and Rejoice in All Circumstances
Even when our lives are in chaos and seem out of control — God still is in control. And in this, we can trust — and rejoice.
We don’t have to rejoice for all things, but we can rejoice in all things (Philippians 4:4) because he is still in charge. It doesn’t mean that tough times won’t come; it means those tough times will come to pass but will not stay.
God does not love as we do. His love is unconditional, everlasting, and eternal. His wisdom is beyond anything we can comprehend. And he is capable beyond our ability to ask, think or even imagine.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Because of who God is. Because we are his children, we can trust — we can know “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
For further reading:
What Does it Mean That 'All Things Work Together for Good'?
How Does God Make All Things New?
Does Following God Mean Good Things Will Happen to Me?
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