It’s All Good . . . REALLY!

Romans 8:28 NLT

I often wonder if things are going to work out or how things are going to work out . . . and during all that time . . . God is seemingly working them out.

The apostle Paul gives the believers in Rome a glimpse into God’s “behind the scenes” grace and guidance.

His Assistance.  Before telling of God’s control, Paul reminds us of His comforting counsel and communication.  Through His Spirit, God is working in our weaknesses.  Paul writes, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But, the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” (Rom 8:26-27 NLT).  The Holy Spirit prays in perfect partnership for us while promoting God’s own will.

Our Assurance. Paul reassures the Christ followers in Rome with three confirming words . . . “And we know”.  The word chosen in the original language means “an experiential knowledge”.  It’s not just in our head as a fact, it’s in our heart as a familiarity.  James uses the same word in his encouraging comments regarding trials and difficulties, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (Jam 1:2-4 MSG)

His Action.  I don’t understand how.  I can’t explain it.  It’s beyond me.  Its difficult because we live our lives with a “cause and effect” way of thinking.  Our God is not concerned with the effect, because He is the cause.  Paul tells us “that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love” Him and these are “called according to His purpose for them.”  He is the Sovereign Multi-Tasker.  He has been involved in our yesterday as He impacts our today and influences our tomorrow. Scotty Smith writes, “Nothing in our past has marked us as a ‘Plan B’ people; nothing in our present contradicts the promise of Your care or the pledge of Your presence; nothing in our future will separate us from the wonders of Your love or alter the completion of Your plan.”  He sees and understands it all . . . our past, present and future.

Our Acceptance.  God’s grace not only guides, but it grants us acceptance with Him.  He loves and accepts based on His passion and promises, not on our performance . . . “And having called them, He gave them right standing with Himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory.”  (Romans 8:30 NLT).  John Gill describes God’s absolute acceptance, “not by effort, but by special grace; from darkness to light, from bondage to liberty, from the company of sinful men to fellowship with Christ, from a trust in their own righteousness to a dependence on His, to grace here, and glory hereafter; which is done according to the purpose of God”.

Smith shares portions of his practical and powerful prayer from Romans 8:28 . . .

You may not see it . . . but, believe it.  God is working . . . and, it’s good . . . really!