All things work for our good

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Chronicles 11:1–13:22 
Romans 8:26-39 
Psalm 18:37-50 
Proverbs 19:27-29

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Romans 8:28 (CSB) "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Arguably the most memorized verse in the Bible is John 3:16. Next in line are verses like Romans 8:28 that would seem to come in a close second.

Romans 8:28 (CSB) "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."

We love that verse, don't we? It says that God desires to work everything for the good of those who love Him and are followers of Jesus.

We like the word "good." But, what does it mean?

Sometimes, when we think of the word "good," we think of things that are pleasant. We think that this verse means that there are very positive things awaiting us over the horizon if we just hold on. (This may or may not be the case.)

Sometimes, when we think of the word "good," we may think of character issues. We think that this verse means that God is using the circumstances of our life (good and bad) to help us to become a better person. (This is closer to the meaning of the text but it's still not close enough.)

When God says that He is working all things together for our good, we only need to look at the next verse to see what that "good" is.

Romans 8:29 (CSB) "For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."

Did you see how God defines "good?" He says that He is working all things together for our good ... conforming us to the image of His Son.

God is providing opportunities for us to become more like Jesus! That's the "good" that God desires.

So, friend, when life happens and we are tempted to look to Heaven and say, "God, why are you allowing such bad things in my life?", take heart. God is using those events to develop all sorts of character qualities and mindsets in you so that can become a little more like Jesus.

That is the ultimate good that God is working to develop in us. Will you join Him today with a desire to become a little more like the One who died on the cross and rose again to bring you into God's family?