God works for the good
Day 563, Wednesday, Feb. 25
Romans 8:18-30
Today we come across a frequently misunderstood and misquoted verse. In verse 28 we read, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
We often hear it quoted with a couple of important words left out: All things work for the good of those who love the Lord. Despite sounding similar, that’s a very different sentence.
Back up to verse 18 and the following verses, where Paul is talking about present sufferings and the creation painfully groaning for liberation. That doesn’t sound like it’s leading up to the cheerful misquotation we often come across.
Paul doesn’t say that all things work for good for those who love God, but that in all things God works for the good of his people. Even in suffering or grief or despair, God is working for your good. God doesn’t protect us from bad things, but works to redeem even the worst things by using them for our good.
This passage is good news: the good news of hope and perseverance, not the good news of naive optimism.
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Wednesday meditation
Psalms 85:1-13
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Prayer focus
My heart and flesh cry out for the living God. Spirit, intercede for us according to your will.