How things appear to us and what actually IS in God's plan are not always the same. Much of life is much better understood in retrospect than in prospect.
There are a number of things that have happened in the last few months that easily fit into that pattern. And there is not a clear vision yet as to HOW God is working in all of these things. It is at these times that we are compelled to fall back on our knowledge of Scripture and our limited understanding of WHO is in control.
A wise Christian once said "Never doubt in the dark what God showed you in the light" It is at those dark times that I have a tendency to doubt the great truths that I know to be God's revelation to us.
In this verse there are several truths that we need to keep in mind:
- As students of His Word, there are certain things we KNOW, not because we can explain them, but because He said them.
- God is working in ALL things. We may not see it, but His hand is behind all the events of our lives.
- His work is for the good.
- His work for the good applies especially to ALL things that befall those who love Him.
- His work also is for the good in the area of bringing those of us who are the elect in line with His plan for our lives. How else can the tragic death of a believing loved one work for the good in the life of one who is being drawn to Him? Or how else can the loss of a job refocus our lives? Or how else can His allowing a thing so terrible as a war, or the loss of all earthly goods in a natural disaster, or the loss of much of our savings for the future in a market crash be considered for the good?
- There is only one explanation to all of this. God is working in our lives for the good because we are CALLED according to His PURPOSE (the act of God in making a plan, and then acting according to that plan as if it had already happened) God does not set out to bring about disasters in our lives. He simply works through those disasters to shape us into the image of Christ, and to bring those whom he has chosen to Him.
With these truths in mind, we can face the future with confidence, knowing that whatever comes into our lives (even the self-inflicted hurts brought about by our disobedience--not that I would recommend them) will in the long run bring about a good result because He has a Purpose for our lives.
There are way too many things happening in our lives and our nation right now which are not only distressing, but are not understandable apart from our KNOWledge of the truth of this verse.
So let us go forth today in confident dependence upon what we know about Him and His Plan.
