by Pat Hackney
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28).
What does this passage of scripture really mean? One thing we can safely say is that it does not mean that everything will turn out all right for everybody in every case. It should be taken in the context in which it was written; that is it was written to those first century Christians who were suffering persecutions, infirmities, and things of a disastrous nature. The apostle Paul wanted them to know that no matter whatever may happen to them as a Christian in this life, absolutely nothing could destroy their soul as long as they remained faithful to God and His word.
We need to know that God is able to overrule every earthly circumstance in such a way that our eternal salvation and life with Him may be assured. "Working together for good..." speaks of the situation in which God is at work on the Christian's behalf. This passage also speaks to the Christian's response or reaction to his woes. The reaction of a child of God to the woes of this mortal life must be of patience, submission, humility, prayer, love, hope, and faith. Even in adversity of the severest kind we must still be able to yield this kind of precious fruit in our hearts as Christians. This writer has watched his parents, brother, and three of his sisters die of cancer. In every case in which those who were called according to His purpose, (that is called by His gospel and were His children, II Thess. 2:13-14.); they died knowing that God loved them and their eternal salvation was sure.
May we all remember this passage and its assurance when we face overwhelming disaster or adversity.