In All Things God Works for Our Good

Readings:
Nehemiah 7:1-38
Romans 8:26-30

Focus:
Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8 is such a great chapter of the Bible! There are many strengthening and comforting verses in it, and verse 28 is indeed one of the great ones. Whatever the circumstances, no matter what bad thing might happen, whatever we do to mess things up, God will use all these bad things and turn them into good for those who love him. We may have to suffer because of what we or others do, but he will work it out in the end. That's a great hope to have.

And in just this small paragraph there are other things to remember, too: verses 26-27 tells us that even when we don't know what we should pray about, the Holy Spirit prays for us, and God knows what we really want and need. Further, in verse 29 we see that God knew us before we even came into being. What love that is! He knew us and loved us from before we were born.

God knew us from before we came into being. He knows intimately what we want and need. And in every circumstance, no matter what happens, he is working to turn it ultimately from bad to good. Truly, who would not want to belong to him?