Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Isn’t Romans 8:28 one of those verses you know, but when going through a failure of expectations, or when your dream has died, or a new family or employment problem comes into your life, and anxiety creeps in, you wonder how can any good can come out of this? You wish things were back to normal. But did you know “normal” is just a setting on your dryer? There was a book written several years ago by Patsy Clairmont, with that very title! I still have that book.
Ezra was a scribe commissioned by King Artaxerxes to establish the Law of Moses, to the Jewish community. Ezra studied the Law of the Lord; he was skilled at it and taught its statutes and rules in Israel. He knew the law inside and out. Ezra was leading a band of new Jewish returnees, exiles, back to Jerusalem, bearing royal gifts for the temple. Ezra 8:22, states: “For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him. So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” God’s sovereign hand in the events of history for the Jews, is recorded throughout the book of Ezra. There were tremendous odds against them, yet repopulation of the ancient Promised Land was a fulfillment of prophecy. Ezra’s prayer about the peoples trust in God in Ezra 8:22-23, told about wanting to show the reality of God to the Persian king. Their long journey was going to be dangerous, for the roads were often frequented by thieves who robbed for survival. Prayers and fasting for protection prepared them spiritually. They recognized that God was in control and that they were not strong enough to make the trip without Him. The king’s ongoing support for them, they knew, would depend on his belief in the power and existence of the God of Israel. Ezra and the people then made it safely without being ambushed in their journey back to Jerusalem. God honored their prayers of faith with His protection. Ezra 8:22 is a parallel verse to Romans 8:28.
The word “all” means “all” – everything. There are no doubts – the verse does not say we hope or wish – no, we have a promise and it is a reality founded in the character of our Creator. The Greek language is essential to note that it places great importance on the word order – Paul put at the beginning of the verse – “for those who love God.” This promise stresses it is intended exclusively for believers – for you – for me.
“Does this mean that all things in the world are good? They are not. The world is unfair, brutal, shocking, and demoralizing, and it contains people who relentlessly oppose God’s created order. Nevertheless, as evil tries to destroy, the Lord turns the world’s destruction into our gain.” Charles Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary. Romans.
This verse is not saying that everything will turn out in our life to make us happy. God’s purpose is always eternally minded. Satan cannot overpower God’s plan. No sinful person can ruin God’s plan for your life. That will never happen.
Remember Joseph? He had not been treated fairly or well by his brothers. Have you ever been in a place where you could identify with him in that? Joseph later got to acknowledge to his brothers that he knew they “had planned evil against him” but “God planned it for good.” Joseph’s brother’s sin could not obstruct God’s greater purpose for His people.
Are you and God having closer fellowship recently due to a particular situation you are dealing with? Look at John 14:25:31 when you are feeling anxious. Jesus is speaking with his disciples before His crucifixion. Jesus is telling them that the Holy Spirit will be sent to comfort them, teach them “all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (v. 27).” Then Jesus states: “For the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.” The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, according to the will of God, (Romans 8:26-27) when we don’t know what words to use to pray. The more we focus on our issue the bigger it becomes. But Jesus said not to be afraid. He gives peace. Ask the Holy Spirit to refresh in your mind the specific verse you need that will give you the peace in your heart that you so desperately need. Then ask Him to show you a sign of His favor (Psalm 86:17).
Once God gives you that verse that gives you more hope and comfort share it. Don’t let it go to waste. He means it just for you, but you never know who God wants you to encourage and show love and kindness to that may be going through something similar. You just may be the person that helps turn on the lightbulb for someone in their need.
Here is a hug from me to you today! Stand up with shoulders straight, head held high, and go from here. God, the heavenly Father, is saying, “I’ve got this. I know the end of your story, and I am right here with you! Now go make me proud! You can do this!”
Listen to Danny Gokey’s Haven’t Seen It Yet (Lyric Video). Perfect words for when you haven’t seen a Romans 8:28 in what you are struggling through.