One of the greatest promises of God can be found in Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28, KJV)
And yet, of the thousands of “precious promises” (2 Pet 1:3-4) this is one promise that can sometimes be the hardest to fully believe. The Christian whose faith truly encompasses this text has learned the greatest truth in life and walks in perfect fellowship with God. Therein is the plain declaration that every detail of our life’s activities is ordered by The One who is all loving, all wise, all powerful. “All things work together for good.” If this text said things like “some things,” “most things,” work together for the good then it would be very easy to understand and to believe. The little word “all” is what makes the BIG difference here. It somehow makes us think of heart aches, disappointments, illness, loss, death, tragedies,slanders, poverty, etc and it makes us want to cry out:
“Surely Lord, these things are not all working together for my good?!”
And the answer is heard: “YES my child. ALL THINGS. The bitter and the sweet are working together for you. For your own best good. Believe that I am permitting only the experiences that I see will enrich your life, or make you a blessing to more of my other children. Trust me to know what is best for you. I love you more than you can understand. (John 13:7) All that concerns you, also concerns me.
“[Anyone] who touches you, touches the apple of my eye.” (Zech 2:8, Isa 43:4)
Therefore, I am seeking to fit and to prepare you to dwell with Me for eternity. I will hedge you about and will permit only what will be for your own, best good. Never doubt my leading. Never question my purposes. You can safely trust in my methods, whether they be pain or health, sunshine of cold, flowers or thorns, uphill or downhill, bitter or sweet, just remember always how that “this thing is from Me…” (1 Kings 12;24) I permit you to be severely tested at times in order for you to realize how that although the enemy of your soul is “as a roaring lion…seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet 5:8) often assails you, yet you may always know the power of my might to deliver, and then you can carry on “from glory to glory.” (2 Cor 3:18) Only those who have seen the enemy come in like a flood can truly know the strength, and the security of the standard that the Lord will raise up against him.
it is in the very hour of your temptation that your weakness is made perfect by My strength. It is only in the struggle where you can see how that I am able to contend with him that contends with you (Isa 49:25)and that I can “save to the uttermost.” (Heb 7:25)
My child, do not measure the strength of the temptation by your weakness, but by the power of The One who spoke worlds into existence.. Never make the fatal mistake of looking at circumstances, or at the power of your adversary. (Num 13;33) Because it is human nature to accept opinion as fact, we must be especially careful when voicing our negative opinions. What we say may heavily influence the actions of those who trust us to give sound advice. Just remember, that I will always go before you. (Exodus 33:14, Mat 28:20) Just keep your eyes, your mind fixed on me. (2 Cor 10:5) Turn not to the right or to the left. (Prov 4:27) Remember that although I am “The Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29) I am also The Lion of The Tribe of Judah who is able to keep you from falling. (Jude 24) No one can promise you a life of ease, but I can promise you a life of uninterrupted victories.
God has not promised skies always blue
Flower strewn pathways all our life through
God has not promised sun without rain
Joy without sorrow. Peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day
Rest for your labor, light on the way
Grace for the trial. Help from above
Unfailing sympathy. Undying love
It is very hard for most of us to to see the hand of God working for our best good in the hard things of life. As Christians, fully backed by God’s promises,we can trust where we cannot see. To try to reason why the loss, the pain, the disappointment, the shame, the humiliation, the tears, is to doubt the wisdom, the love, the power of God. It can only lead the troubled soul to cry out “I am full of confusion.” And God is not the author of confusion. (1 Cor 14:33). Faith in God drinks the bitter cup that the Hand of love holds to our lips. Faith complains not at the steepness of Calvary’s hill, or of the heaviness of the cross on our shoulders so long as we can see the footsteps of The One who has gone before us and know that He knows the way. Three men were walking on a wall. Feeling. Faith. And Fact. When Feeling had an awful fall, and Faith was taken aback; Fact remained and brought Faith back, and Faith brought Feeling too.
We Have These Examples:
Moses could not explain the reason for those long, weary, and seemingly wasted years in the desert. But God was getting him ready to answer the prayers of millions for deliverance, to fulfill prophecy, and to dwell by the throne of God. Who would compare those years of loneliness in the desert or the measure of trial and strain endured while leading a rebellious, fault-finding, and ease-loving Israel to The Promised Land with the glories of heaven that it has been theirs to enjoy since that day of Moses’ special resurrection? (Deut 34:6, Jude 1:9) Upon the mount of transfiguration Moses was present with Elijah, who had been translated. (2 Kings 2:11-12){PP 479.3}
When Job tried to reason out the cause of his calamities that fell with lightning speed into the midst of a single day, all he was able to say was “I am full of confusion” (Job 10:15) but Job’s faith could pierce the sorrow, the loss, the humiliation and still breathe the prayer: “though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job 13:15) How the heart of God rejoiced that His servant Job had passed the fiery tests brought on by the challenge and by the insinuations of the evil one. It would have been much easier to have endured, to remain steadfast, had Job known of the conversation between God and Satan, had he heard His Heavenly Father’s expressions of confidence in his loyalty and devotion. But he knew it not. All he saw was ruin. All he had heard were biting words from his friends. Yet still, we have the record how that Job “sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1:22)
The Apostle Paul who by Inspiration wrote our opening text “all things work together for good” knew from his own personal experience the proof and the power of the promise. Paul’s life was not always an easy life. His path was not free from stones and thistles, so to speak. Behold Paul, while obeying the call of The Spirit to Macedonia, he was beaten with many stripes, cast into the inner prison,unable to move with his feet in the stocks. (Acts 16:24) And yet Paul still hears the Voice of his new-found Lord saying: “This thing is from Me,” and then thanking God for the ministry of suffering, Paul, with his faithful companion just burst into songs of praise! Not only did all the hard things in Pauls life “work together for good,” as they made Paul more like his Master, but all of his trials had proved to be the means for “the furtherance of the gospel.” (Phil 1:12) What heart has not been stirred by seeing trials patiently endured by others?
There is also Joseph. Steadfast to principles when he was cast into the dungeon, who later testifies that his experience is from God. (Gen 45:8)
And the fiery furnace of the three Hebrew worthies serves to make us love Jesus all the more and to better know of the greatness of His power to save us.
Truly, every disappointment is God’s appointment. Our opportunity to “grow in grace (2 Pet 3:18), and to be like the Divine Pattern. Every trial is but another proof of God’s personal interest. Trials are the tools in the hands of The Divine Architect as He seeks to include us in His eternal plan.
The Blood Of The Lamb. The Word Of Their Testimony
I once heard a story about a Blacksmith who gave his heart to God. Though consistent in his living, still he was not prospering materially. Financially. In fact, it seed that from the time of his conversion, more trouble, affliction, and loss were sustained than ever before. Everything seemed to be going wrong. Well, one day a friend who was not a Christian, stopped at the little forge to talk with the Blacksmith. Sympathizing with him in some of his trials, the friend said:
“It seems strange to me that so much affliction should pass over you just at the very time when you have become an earnest Christian. Of course I don’t want to weaken your faith in God or anything like that; but here you are, trying to do your best, being faithful in every way you know how, praying for God’s help and guidance, and yet things seem to be getting steadily worse. I can’t help wondering why this is happening?”
The Blacksmith did not answer immediately, and it was evident that he too had thought of the same question before. But finally he said: “You see the raw iron I have here to make into horse shoes? You know what I do with it? I take a piece and I heat it in the fire until it is red, almost white with the heat. Then I hammer it unmercifully to shape it the way I know it should be shaped. Then I plunge it into a pail of cold water to temper it. Then I heat it again and hammer it some more. And I do this until it is finished.
“But sometimes I find a piece of the iron that will not withstand this kind of treatment. The heat and the hammering and the cold water are sometimes just too much for it. I don’t know exactly why some of the pieces fail like that in the process, but I do know that it will never make a good horse shoe.”
He pointed to a heap of scrap iron by the door of the shop. “When I get a piece that cannot take the shape and temper, I throw it out on this scrap heap. It will never be good for anything useful.” He went on: “I KNOW that God has been holding me in the fires of affliction, and I have felt His hammer upon me. But I don’t mind it, if only He can bring me to what I should be. And so in all these hard things, my prayer is simply this: ‘Try me in any way that you see fit Lord, only please don’t throw me on the scrap heap.”
Yes my friends: the very trying of our faith is the work of our Best Friend. Jesus does not grieve us willingly, but He knows that the winds of adversity will cause us who are sincere and honest in seeking Him to become more firmly grounded in the depths of His “everlasting love.” (Jer 31:3, Rev 14:6) so that the hot, scorching, withering, fiery trials will always cause us to seek more often the eternal springs of grace. May you, in your times of loneliness, sickness, sorrow, dismay, look up into the face of Jesus and hear Him say again in love: “This thing is from Me.” (1 Kings 12:24). May your response be: “Lord. Work your special work of grace in my heart, in my personal life. Do as seems best to you, for now I know how that all things work together for good to them that love God.” (Rom 8:28)
Our Troubles Versus Christ’s Peace
Our tired old world has been in serious trouble many times now over the years. But never have we seen such trouble as we are seeing this last two or three years. The prophet Jeremiah wrote an accurate depiction of the times we live in today when he said: “The din resounds to the world’s end, for The Eternal arranges the nations, He indicts everyone on planet Earth, and puts the wicked to the sword. The Lord of Hosts declares: “from race to race calamity extends, a mighty storm is stirring from the earth’s ends” (Jer 25:31,32, Moffatt)
In Jer 30:5 he says: “We have heard a scream of terror, all is alarm and unrest. Ask now, and inquire if a man is ever with child.; for why do I see everyone pressing their hands on their loins, and why is every face turned to a deadly pallor? Ah, this is an awful day. What day is like it?” (Moffatts Translation).
It does seem a bit strange to talk much about peace where there has been so little peace for the past 2000 years, and the prospects for peace in the future are so hopeless. There has been almost perpetual strife and unceasing wars and calamities since the day when the angels sang “peace on Earth to everyone of goodwill.” (Luke 2:14)
Everywhere we look today there is trouble. Our poor world is rushing on from one crises to the next, sometimes dealing with many multiple, concurrent disasters and troubles. Each new problem seems worse. More frequent. More rapid. Each tragedy is worse than the last. I am reminded of the FEAR and the hatred of the nations today. The piling up of war materials, the stock-piling of nuclear Missiles, the distress of nations, and as the result millions are hungry and dying when it could all be prevented.
Every page of our human history is stained with tears, and yet, even during times like these we are in now, the world continues to rush into it’s darkest moments. Dan 12:1 notes a time of trouble such as there never was since there was a nation. The Bible tells of the seven last plagues that are yet to fall, and it also speaks of Jacob’s trouble through which we must pass. (Rev 3:10) Yet in the midst of that trouble while “[people’s] hearts are failing them from fear and for looking after the things that are coming upon the earth,” (Luke 21:26) God talks to us about peace! God wants us to have peace! Jesus has left us with peace in His will! (John 14:27)
Peace beyond Understanding
Jesus has willed His peace to each of us. Have you ever heard anyone say “I have never been remembered in anyone’s will,” well that’s just not true! The Lord Jesus has remembered YOU in His will. Just before He died, Jesus made a will! He willed to Joseph His body, He willed to John His Mother, He willed to His Father, His Spirit, but Jesus willed to you and me today His peace! John 14:27 tells us:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (NIV)
Jesus has remembered us in His will. Jesus has willed to us His peace. The question remains now: “have we claimed our inheritance?” Will we as a people, as the church accept our inheritance bequeathed to us in the perfect will of Jesus Christ? ” For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13) In the very midst of international and national troubles swirling around most of us today, we may truly have peace. Before He died, Jesus remembered you, remembered me, in His will. Jesus willed to Joseph His body. () Jesus willed to John His Mother. ()Jesus willed to His Father, His Spirit. But for you and I, Jesus willed His peace. (John 14:27) “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you…Let not your heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid.”
Security And Joy.
These are the cry of human hearts everywhere. And they are bequeathed to us in the will of Jesus as expressed in His Word where Jesus guarantees and assures us of His provision of peace and security to His children. Wealth does not bring peace. It seems that there is more unrest, more suicides among the rich than amongst the poor. Position, education, worldly pleasure, wisdom and environment do not bring peace. At least, not lasting peace. True peace is the gift of God, and “not like the world gives.” Peace is one of God’s gifts to His children. Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit. (see Gal 5:22)
To accept the peace that Jesus has willed to us we need to accept and believe in our Author of peace. It is impossible to accept His peace, if we do not accept Him personally. Jesus does want to live through you, in you, for He has said:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My Voice, and open the door, I will come in unto them and eat with them, and they with me.” (Rev 3:20)
Friends, when Jesus is on the inside, then there is peace. “Christ in you the hope in glory.” (Col 1:27) Christ’s indwelling presence makes for peace, and for glorifying God. Here are a few more scriptures that help us to understand this special peace that “Christ in you” will bring about:
Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” The Psalmist mentions a GREAT peace here.
Phil 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Here we see described a special peace that “passes all understanding.”
Isa 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” So we find that it is not only a great peace that passes understanding, but it is also called a “perfect peace.” And from another Scripture, Isa 48:18 we read: how that it is a constant peace. If you had obeyed me, then peace would have come to you like a full flowing river. Good things would have come to you again and again, like the waves of the sea.
Psalms 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Isa 9:7 His power will never end; peace will last forever. He will rule David’s kingdom and make it grow strong. He will always rule with honesty and justice. The LORD All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done.
Now all these texts and many others describe for us the peace that Jesus has willed to us. But it would seem that it does not take much to destroy our peace. Just a little slight. Some lack of appreciation. A bit of criticism. A betrayal of confidence. Or some misunderstanding. And our peace is gone! So many professed Christians are like the surface of the ocean. They are lashed and tossed about by every wind. It frets and foams and rises and falls but we thank God that there are depths in the sea where there is eternal calm. “My peace,” said Jesus!
With Jesus there is no frailty, no error, no sin, no past to lament, no failure to dread, no mistakes to fear. No death can overcome, no suffering weaken. No ideals unreached, no perfection unattained, nothing disturbs His peace, and that is the peace Jesus has willed to each one of us. What a legacy!
The Loud Cry: When Days Are Dark
“get up and walk” (Acts 14:10)
This past week I encountered an elderly gentleman who was homeless, stuck living in a tiny trailer on the side of the road. No power. No running water. He was lying in his own filth, and living in very squalid conditions. he could not walk. He had given up and just laid down in his bed, surrounded by garbage and rotten food. Myself and another church member started to reach out to him, we fed him, bought him propane to have heat, cleaned his trailer, did his dishes and laundry. While I was helping him to have a bed bath he said to me with a tear in his eye:
“you know, I feel safe when you guys are here. I don’t have to worry about the bullies and the vandalism. I can’t sleep at night because of it. Is it OK if I sleep now?”
He later said to me as I was leaving that day,
“Can you please do another prayer?”
And today, just two days after this, he started to walk again! All he said was “you guys have given me the courage to live again. The courage to go on.”
Can you do another prayer? That about says it all.
My friends, would you like to have that peace? THAT kind of rest in Christ? Jesus left it here! His peace is here to stay. If you are not now enjoying Christ’s peace, why not claim your inheritance now? Just remember, that to accept Christ’s peace you must accept Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. Apart from Jesus there is no real lasting peace. Jesus has willed it to you. Jesus won’t be satisfied until you have accepted it. Why continue as you have been in the past? Why be like the prodigal nephew and fail to claim your inheritance? Why lie down in your bed and give up when Jesus has left such a gift, such wonder-working power to you in His express will? Open the door to your heart. Jesus is knocking.
Accept the Prince Of Peace, just now, and you will always have His peace.