Promised Purpose

Promised Purpose

In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

IN WORD It’s a remarkable guarantee from a sovereign God. It would be impossible for Him to back it up if He were not who He says He is. But our God is in charge of history, and He works all things out for His purposes. And one of His purposes is to make all things work out for the people who love Him.

That’s good to know when life looks like it has gone haywire. There’s precious little comfort in the midst of chaotic circumstances. When a loved one lies dying, when unemployment hits home, when children are rebelling, when cancer is diagnosed—all of the things that attack our sense of well-being are on a divine leash. When everything is falling apart and our peace is being threatened, we can know one rock-solid fact: There’s a purpose.

The purpose isn’t always discernible. Sometimes it isn’t even clear until decades later. But it is there. The God who promised to work all things together for our good has proven that He does. His track record is perfect. A look at Joseph in prison, Israel in Egypt, battles against the Philistines, David’s affair with Bathsheba—or ultimately the Cross—confirms that some pretty ugly circumstances can be woven seamlessly into His divine plan. Joseph said it best in Genesis 50:20: What is intended for evil by some can be intended for good by God. The ugliness of the circumstances is never to be our guide.

IN DEED If you are going through a trial, you need to know that. The trial doesn’t define for you who God is, and it doesn’t define His plan for you. Somewhere behind it, or even in it, He is working out His purposes, and His purposes are very, very good. The things that threaten your peace now are the things He will use to establish it. You may not see it for a long time, but one day—even if only in eternity—you will see it clearly. All things—every one of them—work together for the good of those who love Him.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.

—WILLIAM COWPER