Some of the Most Popular Verses in the Bible Day 7, #4: Romans 8:28
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
When we are going through tough times, the last thing we need to hear is platitudes. They can come across as an easy way to fluff off bad feelings without really acknowledging the depth of someone’s suffering. Even biblical-sounding phrases like, “Trust the Lord,” don’t always drill deep enough (See James 2:16).
In reality, we generally cannot do much about the evil things that happen to us or fellow travelers. At best, we can “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). The actions of someone who cares can help us carry our burdens but cannot always remove them. It’s not the platitudes, but the latitude of love that makes a difference.
Romans is a book of contrasts and a book of hope. Paul contrasts sin with righteousness, faithlessness with faithfulness, the Spirit with the letter of the law, life with death, the weak with the strong, and so on. He speaks clearly of the morass of misery as well as the heights of hope. Romans 8:28 towers as the mountain peak from which we can view trials in their proper perspective.
No, we cannot always prevent, remove, or control afflictions in our lives — but God can. Witness Joseph, sold into slavery by his own brothers, but able to say, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20). Paul’s own imprisonment “has really served to advance the gospel . . . that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice” (Philippians 1:12 – 18). Paul could see from the mountain top.
Job could not see what would happen, but he was doubly blessed because of his suffering (42:10); he even got his own book in the Bible! Also, hear the words of the psalmist in Psalm 119: “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes” (V. 71).
As a result of persecution of the early church, “[T]hose who were scattered went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Jesus, knowing what would happen to the church, gave this hard-to-fathom command: “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12). His half-brother, James, proclaimed the immediate blessings of trials when he wrote, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2 – 4). Like the ingredients in medicine, all these things work hand-in-hand for your good.
When the clouds seem to obscure our view of heaven, and our nerves scream for attention, it’s hard to keep a stiff upper lip, keep your chin up, and believe it’s all good, but try to endure, knowing God is working it all for your good. God is good, so everything He does must be good. Even His Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26 – 27), and God will always hear Him, and He will only ask for what is best. God called you for a purpose, and will not be thwarted, so be not ashamed or discouraged (2 Timothy 1:12).
Alan Allegra