A Word from Romans 8

If you could ask the Lord to bring good today out of some challenging situation in your life, what would that good be? Would it be physical healing from an injury or illness, or emotional healing from a loss or conflict? Would it be provision for some need you’re facing, or guidance for decision you have to make? And if God provided that good, what impact would it have in your life moving forward?

Well, I ask these questions because today’s word from Romans 8 contains a very familiar promise: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (8:28) We have the assurance that even when the challenges of life are painful, God is present! And He’s constantly at work on behalf of His children to achieve His purpose by bringing good out of situations that, in themselves, are not good.

Of course, one of the things we sometimes miss when we claim this promise is that the very next verse tells us something important about the nature of the good that God intends to bring about: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (8:29; emphasis added) You see, the greatest good is that we’d become more like Jesus! And if we think about his character—his patience, and willingness to sacrifice, and his ability to trust his Father in all things—I think we’ll find that his definition of good and ours might sometimes differ.

So maybe a better question to ask would be: “If you could ask the Lord to use a challenging situation to make you more like Jesus today, what would that good be?”

May our greatest good always be those small but vital changes that allow his image to shine brightly in us. Amen.