How Things Work for Our Good

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.--Rom. 8: 28.

People suffer some misfortune, and come to me with these words, asking for an explanation. They ask, “How can this thing work for my good?” The answer is, it can’t--not of itself. Only God can make it work for you, and He can’t do it unless you co-operate and work together with Him.

In one ancient manuscript of the New Testament, God’s name appears in the text in the nominative case, placing “all things in the objective case, making the sentence read, “God worketh all things , , ,” It is not a haphazard working. It is not a matter of chance. God is in control of things.

That, to me, is a comforting thought, to feel that God is behind “all things” that touch my life, that He is controlling and directing all those things.

Things happen to me that I can’t understand, can’t see how they can result in any good for me. But I never doubt God’s love. I know He loves me, and I confide in His love. I know His purpose toward me is good, and I rely on that. I may not in the hour of my trial be able to see His design, but I know it must be something in accord with His purpose of love. Though I don t know His design, I know He knows, and that s enough for me.

Coming back to the text, the Greek word translated “together” is capable of being translated “together with”. This would make the text read, “God worketh all things for good together with them that love Him.” For your good God may permit some affliction to come upon you. You must work with Him in that affliction if it is to bring good to you. If you are rebellious and do not cooperate with Him, that affliction, instead of working good, will tend to work in the opposite direction; it may sour your disposition and embitter your life.

There are goods which God bestows on the just and unjust alike (Matt. 5:45). But the highest good God has to bestow is reserved for those who love Him and work together with Him in all of life’s experiences, to the end that His purposes of love may be fulfilled in their lives.