All things work together for good

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

This is an often-quoted verse in the Christian realm, but have you stopped to think of the implications? It’s such an easy temptation, and maybe true in some cases in western Christianity, to think that Christians just live in this bubble of safety and don’t see the real suffering in the world. That certainly wasn’t true of most of the writers of the Bible. A lot of Paul’s letters are written from prison, facing death. Yet, Paul is the one that wrote this verse for a church. How can this be? My answer: Paul’s belief in God’s Providence.

God’s Providence

The doctrine of the Providence of God is incredibly empowering. Knowing that nothing falls outside of the will of God is life-changing. For true Christians, Paul says that all things work together for good. All things. That includes what most people would say is the worst thing: death. If death is the worst thing, after death Christians get to see their King! We get to see the most satisfying Being in the universe. Even through death, God is working all things for the good of those that love Him.

We can see through Scripture that nothing falls outside of the Sovereign Will of God (Romans 9; Matthew 10:29; Ephesians 1:11-12; Proverbs 16:4, 9, 33). This knowledge and truth should be empowering to Christians. We need this all the time: while waiting in traffic, while having a flat tire, while turned down for a job, etc. God has a purpose and a reason for everything. Chew on this truth.

While in prison, Paul said,

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 ESV

What was Paul’s ‘secret‘ here? Knowing Christ– the all-satisfying King of the Universe (Philippians 3:7-8).

Case Study: Job

The Book of Job is an amazing book that includes suffering for people that seemingly don’t deserve it. The narrative progresses to Job actually standing before God, an opportunity he’s been looking for throughout the book. Yet God never gives a clear reason for his suffering. At the end of the book, Job says to God,

 Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”