And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose. Romans 8:28 NASB
Isn’t that one of the most amazing statements ever made in God’s Word…that God causes ALL things to work together for good?! When I meditate on such a deep truth, my mind comes near the point of exploding with joy! What does ALL things mean? I think it means ALL things!
In the book of Genesis, we find the story of Joseph. Joseph was a favorite if his father, Jacob, and this caused his brothers to despise him. They plotted his death but wound up selling him into slavery to some traveling Ishmaelites. He eventually winds up in the court of Potiphar in Egypt where he was exalted, by God, to a place of honor in that realm.
Years later, his own brothers and father were forced by famine to seek assistance from Egypt. Upon finding out who controlled the food supply - their brother, Joseph - the brothers feared for their lives. Jacob, just before his death, asked his other sons to seek forgiveness from their brother, Joseph. Joseph’s response?
"As for you, you meant evil against me, [but] God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” Genesis 50:20 NASB
God used something field by hate for good to the very ones who acted with hatred in the first place. If that isn’t God causing all things to work together for good, I don’t know what is!
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 [we are] afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4: years 7-12
I am often reminded that the enemy does not care for the story of redemption. He hates it when one of God’s redeemed tells others that they, too, can be redeemed.
Once we have been set free from sin – and we realize it - no bondage can hold us! No prison can hold my heart.
Wherever my heart is, Jesus is. Wherever He is, His Holy Spirit is! Wherever His Holy Spirit is, there is liberty! I am free! I am redeemed! I celebrate this goodness of the Lord!
Life may bring affliction, but it will not crush me because God is good!
Life may bring perplexing confusion, but I have no reason to walk in despair or hopelessness because God is so good!
Life may bring persecution due to the very faith I have in Christ, but I will never be forsaken because God is so good!
Life may try and strike me down but I can never ever be destroyed because my God is that good!
God is good. Period.
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have [its] perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 NASB
Let us walk in the assurance of knowing that our God causes all things to work together for our good because He wants only what is best for us…even in the midst of sorrow, suffering, or pain! Our God is good! Our God is good!
Dennis Jernigan
To help you celebrate the goodness of the Lord, listen to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast:
http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/i-will-celebrate-the-goodness-of-the-lord/
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