Romans 8:28 "We know that all things work for good for those who love God."
This has been one of my favourite scriptures for a while, especially in the last few years when there have been times I’ve really needed to hear it! It’s a scripture full of hope, a beautiful promise and a real encouragement when we can’t see why something is happening in our lives. But what I’ve come to realise lately is that this scripture isn’t just about God working a few miracles here and there in our lives when we most want Him to and everything turning out happily ever after. I read it a bit closer one day, and I realised that there’s more to it than that.
You see, in my translation it says, "God works with those who love Him... and turns everything to their good." God works with those who love Him. So we have a part to play as well. In order for God to be able to work in our lives, we have to make a response to His promises. There’s no room for God to work unless we totally trust and believe that whatever is happening to us will turn out to our good. It’s almost as if we have power over God in this.
If I am going through a hard time and I question God and complain and refuse to believe that it’s all part of God’s plan, then whatever I’m going through has no room to become anything better. But if I trust in God, believe in His unfailing promises and stay close to Him in prayer, then I am allowing God to work in that situation, because He is then working with me.
Loving God requires a bit of effort from us, not just sitting back and demanding some magic. Try it and see next time. God’s promises are always guaranteed.
