All Things Work Together for Good

All Things Work Together for Good
“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” (Romans 8:28 KJV).

There is hardly ever a time you open my fridge and won’t find banana muffins. I love baking them and enjoying them with a cup of coffee in the morning. But not every ingredient is enjoyable by itself—flour, vanilla extract, oil, raw eggs. Yet when you mix them together and put them through a 350-degree oven, they come out smelling good, looking good, and tasting good.

The Christian life works the same way. Becoming a Christian does not mean everything becomes smooth—no difficulties, no trials, nothing bitter. Jesus Himself warned, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). His own path to Calvary was not an easy one, but filled with tribulation, yet the end result brought salvation to humanity.

Maybe you are in a bitter stage right now—perhaps in your business, or with a child you raised in the Word who is now walking contrary to everything you and your spouse poured into him or her. Trust God and keep praying, knowing that all things will work together for good because you love God.

Remember the father of the prodigal son in Luke 15. It must have been a bitter and heartbreaking season for him when his younger son demanded his portion of the inheritance and left for a distant country. I imagine the father praying, waiting, and watching. Scripture says that while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him, ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him. How many times had that father looked down the road and asked, “Could that be my son?”—only to be disappointed? But the day of joy finally came. I pray that the child you have been praying for will also “come to himself” and return home. Amen.

Now, let us look closely at the promise in Romans 8:28:

WE KNOW

This expresses strong conviction. We have assurance that what God has promised, He will surely perform because of His unchanging character. He is the immutable God: “For I am the LORD, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). Job testified, “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You” (Job 42:2). Paul declared that “all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Isaiah also affirms that God’s Word does not return to Him void but accomplishes His purpose (Isaiah 55:10–11).

ALL THINGS

The text does not say that everything that happens to us is good, but that all things work together for good. God knows every stage of our lives—pleasant stages, painful stages, and puzzling stages—and He weaves them together for our ultimate good.

Joseph is an example. God gave him dreams of greatness, and Joseph loved God. Yet his brothers sold him into slavery; later he was unjustly thrown into prison. At every stage, God was with him. From prison, God elevated him to become second in command to Pharaoh. What looked like abandonment was actually divine orchestration. Joseph later told his brothers, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).

TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD

This promise is not universal—it is for those who love God. So, the question is: Do you love God? Loving God begins with receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9–10). Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). He summarized those commandments in Luke 10:27: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE

Everything God allows is connected to His divine purpose. His goal is to conform us to the image of Christ. After we are born again, the Holy Spirit works continually to shape us into Christlikeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). Sometimes God allows trials not to destroy our faith but to develop it, because tested faith is stronger and more reliable. Whatever God permits ultimately serves His purpose.

PRAYER

May the Lord grant us grace to persevere when difficulties arise. Strengthen our faith to trust You even when we cannot see what You are doing, knowing that You are working all things together for our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

—Philip O. Akinyẹmi