For Our Good
Romans 8:28-29 (NLT)
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Reflection
As I sit down to write this reflection, a text comes through: the ten-year-old classmate of my son died this morning. Despite the desperate prayers of his parents, our family, our friends, and our community, he still died. This verse works easily when the things God causes to work together are good things in our human eyes. It is harder when God’s “good” doesn’t look like ours.
I thought about these questions: How do I react when the things I am praying fiercely for don’t come? Do I stop and consider that God’s “good” may be different, a piece to a larger puzzle that only He can see? Do I allow our all-knowing Father to change my heart and my pleas from healing, to sustaining me in His will? Does the thought of Jesus as our example bring peace to situations that are unexpected, tragic even? After all, God worked the ultimate tragedy into good by offering His Son as a perfect sacrifice for each of us. Praise God that He continues to work in this broken world, even if His work doesn’t make sense to us just yet.
Worship
Listen to the song “Good Plans” by Red Rocks Worship. Recognize that even when things don’t work out the way we want them to, God is still on His throne, and we need look no further than scripture for help in finding the words to submit our plans to Him.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Reflection
As I sit down to write this reflection, a text comes through: the ten-year-old classmate of my son died this morning. Despite the desperate prayers of his parents, our family, our friends, and our community, he still died. This verse works easily when the things God causes to work together are good things in our human eyes. It is harder when God’s “good” doesn’t look like ours.
I thought about these questions: How do I react when the things I am praying fiercely for don’t come? Do I stop and consider that God’s “good” may be different, a piece to a larger puzzle that only He can see? Do I allow our all-knowing Father to change my heart and my pleas from healing, to sustaining me in His will? Does the thought of Jesus as our example bring peace to situations that are unexpected, tragic even? After all, God worked the ultimate tragedy into good by offering His Son as a perfect sacrifice for each of us. Praise God that He continues to work in this broken world, even if His work doesn’t make sense to us just yet.
Worship
Listen to the song “Good Plans” by Red Rocks Worship. Recognize that even when things don’t work out the way we want them to, God is still on His throne, and we need look no further than scripture for help in finding the words to submit our plans to Him.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
My Only AimRun to WinSetting Aside the Good for the BestDon’t Lose HeartFight the Good FightReflecting on Finishing Well…Not The Year But LifeLook UpPurposed in My HeartA Life of PrayerTo the Left or to the Right Seeking Godly CounselThe Word of the LordReflecting on Looking UpLooking BackGod is FaithfulSpiritual EyesRememberWorthy of PraiseThrough All GenerationsReflecting on Looking BackLook DownMoments of TruthThink It ThroughGod-Centered DecisionsLive Without Regrets Heartbreaking HindsightReflecting on Looking DownLooking ForwardA Solemn WarningSeeking God’s WillLearning What Is Good
February
Nothing Is HiddenAt The CrossroadsReflecting on Looking ForwardConsider Your WaysOpen Your EyesLord, Open Our Eyes!Seeing the UnseenKeeping Our Eyes on JesusTrusting God AloneGod Is With UsReflecting on Open your Eyes The Calling of GodIf it Pleases the KingFollow MeHere Am IFuture BlessingsWhat Do You Want Me To Do?Reflecting On The Calling of GodNot Coming DownWhen Adversity Arrives Focused on the CallingThe Armor of GodThe Voice of OppositionGod’s Glory on DisplayReflecting On Not Coming DownThe Principle of “And”Prayer and PetitionEvaluate and Get StartedPray and FightWork and ProtectLiving with Purpose
March
Faith and WorksReflecting on The Principle of “And”Bad Timing is Perfect TimingConsider Your WaysThe Richness of JesusSacrificial GivingThe Willing HeartThe Blessings of ObedienceReflecting on Bad Timing is Perfect TimingLegacySetting a Godly ExampleThe Next GenerationHanding Down FaithfulnessGod’s WisdomTeach Your Children WellReflecting on LegacyEveryone Did Their PartUnited With PurposeStaying the CourseWalk In UnityEmbrace My RoleAm I accountable?Reflecting on Everyone Doing Their PartClarity to PainPraying through the PainThe Throne of GraceCasting Your CaresRedeeming Our PainRestoredReview: Reflecting on Clarity to PainThe Cross Brings Clarity of God’s Love
No Comments