The Good, The Bad, The Not So Pleasant . . . God Knows Best All the

July 3, 2018

The Good, The Bad, The Not So Pleasant . . . God Knows Best All the Time

Romans 8:28

Kelli Mainz

Central Truth

Whether one has a saving faith in Jesus Christ or not, NO ONE is promised a life free from worry or trouble. As believers in Christ, we are promised that no matter what, there is a better life to come. Jesus is the reason!

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,^{1

8:28
Some manuscripts God works all things together for good, or God works in all things for the good} for those who are called according to his purpose.

Footnotes

[1] 8:28 Some manuscripts God works all things together for good, or God works in all things for the good

Hurricanes, fires, floods, death, infidelity, sickness, rioting . . . what in the world is happening around us? Even though the world we live in seems to be crumbling right in front of us, it's not news to God (Job 28:24). Why in the world do we seem shocked? Maybe it's because we don't completely understand the promise He has given us. Author Tim Keller says, "We were never promised better life circumstances, but rather a better life if we know and trust in the One true Savior." Easy to say, right?

I get it. I grew up in a single parent home after my dad left when I was three years old. This resulted in financial instability most of my life. I have never had a relationship with my father, and he lives about 15 minutes from my family. My second pregnancy resulted in a stillbirth when I was five months pregnant. My marriage almost ended only seven years into it. And the list goes on. Maybe you can relate with your own heartache and disappointment.

The difference, you ask? The difference is that I gave my life to Christ and trusted in Him years ago. The apostle Paul is addressing Christians in verse 28. We live in a sinful world, and bad things and circumstances will continue to surround us because this is not our home. The world we live in isn't much different than it was when Paul wrote this letter. He had endured beatings that almost killed him, imprisonments, and persecution beyond belief. He knew the reality of his circumstances, yet he continued to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As we continue to read in Romans, we learn that nothing we do can earn God's love. He loves us no matter what, and the proof of that is in His Son's death on the cross and His resurrection. There is joy to be experienced despite our circumstances. God didn't get anything wrong, even when it seems He did. My prayer is that you will trust in Him to provide all you need. I am grateful to Christ for who I am today, and I wouldn't change my circumstances (yes, even the "bad" ones) for anything.

This month's memory verse

18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

– Romans 7:18–19

1. Is it easier for you to love God when only good things are happening in your life? If so, why?

2. When the storms hit your life, do you turn to alcohol, drugs/medications, self-reliance, isolation, and worldly advice—or do you turn to God's Word and God's people, trusting that "all things work together for good"?

3. Do you have a saving faith in Christ alone? If not, I pray you will seek God's Word and His promises. Please read and think about the verses below.

Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)—[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:23 (NIV)—For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 (NIV)—But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9 (NIV)—If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 5:1 (NIV)—Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)—For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.