BIBLE STUDIES ARCHIVE.....All Things Work Together

All Things Work Together for Good

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28God works in such wonderful, yet mysterious ways. The verse from Romans 8:28 can bring us comfort in times of adversity, waiting, or silence. When our eyes see the current condition, God’s vision takes in the whole picture and He sees how all things, yes all things, can work together for good. We are very involved in prison ministry. Prison is a place where for some people; their situations don’t look good at all. Yet, over time, it is remarkable the number of offenders who see how God has worked even a prison sentence together with other circumstances, for good. Many women inmates have expressed how prison was the best thing that ever happened to them. That might be very difficult for some to believe, but it is a powerful testimony of women who know that God has worked things together for good.

As the Lord builds testimonies in our lives, it is also a positive and powerful witness to others. We can meditate on the things that God has uniquely, creatively strung together that is our lives. He has used the low moments to establish qualities in us and from it, created high moments. The J.B. Phillips version presents Romans 8:28 as follows, “Moreover we know that to those who love God, who are called according to His plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good.” It is truly remarkable to begin to see the pieces of the pattern for good in our lives. God works even in the tragedies of life to bring about yet another part of that pattern for good. It brings to mind the verse from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” The purpose of God’s comfort in our lives is twofold: for our own comfort; and so we may be able to comfort others. We seem to minister comfort best to others when their need is one we have had ourselves. In those moments, good comes out of grief.

This principle is exemplified in the life of Joseph. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, finding favor with Pharaoh, interpreter of dreams, and reunited with his brothers, Joseph is found in Genesis 50:20-21, saying: “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones. And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Joseph knew the motivation of his brothers, but he also knew the motivation of God. God meant the situation for good, and all the things that happened to Joseph fit into that divine pattern for good. Joseph’s role and responsibility was significant, as he was obedient to what God was showing him and asking him to believe. If we go back to examine chapter 50 of Genesis, we find that:

• Jacob issues his burial instructions to his sons;
• Jacob dies and 70 days of mourning occur;
• Joseph receives permission from Pharaoh to leave Egypt so he may bury his father in Canaan;
• After the burial, Joseph and his family return to Egypt.

In Genesis 50:15, we read that Joseph’s brothers become wary, now that their father has died. They are concerned that Joseph may repay them for the evil they did to him. So they send messengers to Joseph and later appear before him, as servants. Joseph’s heart is beautifully expressed as he reassures his brothers that they are instruments of God, as is he. He promises to care for them, comfort them, and to love them. Joseph understood that Almighty God allowed all those moments to occur – and that God has made something wonderful out of it. It has worked together for good. Ecclesiastes 3:11 expresses it this way, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” As we trust God, remain obedient in what He has asked of us, He will make everything beautiful in its time.