2020 has taught me an important lesson: We don’t always see what is coming, and when it does, sometimes it runs right over us. What is even worse is that no matter how hard you try; you can’t keep from having a bad day. You can plan, scheme, prepare, do all you know to do to keep from having those days, but they are going to come just the same.

In times like this there is a Word from God we need to hear, and it is one of the most well known and most quoted verses in the Bible, which is the text for our message—Romans 8:28.

This verse is short on words but long on wisdom, God gives us three truths to remember when life is crushing you. Now these three words are promise, providence, and purpose.

First, Let’s Claim God’s Promise. Now there are three words that are extremely important in understanding and appreciating what this verse really says. The first word is the word “we.”

Paul says, “And we know that all things work together for good.” Now, who is the “we?” Well, “we” are the ones who “love God” and who are “called.”

There are only two types of people in this world. Those who love God, and those who don’t. Not everyone who says they love God, truly loves God. Jesus said in Jn. 14:21, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” In other words, people who truly love God don’t just say it, they show it.

But the “we” are also the ones who are “called.” That is, those who love God are the ones whom God has called to be a part of his family, and who have responded to that call by committing themselves to living out Christ’s teachings, blessed to become a blessing to all others.

Now the second word is “know.” Paul says “and we know that all things work together for good.” There are a lot of things about God, and the Bible, we don’t know.

Paul tells us in v.26 we don’t always know how to pray. We don’t know what Jesus looks like. As a matter of fact, we don’t even know what is going to happen in the next five minutes.

It is dishonest to claim you don’t know what you do know. It is foolish to claim that you do know what you don’t know. But no one should hesitate to claim to know what they do know, and this is one thing you can know.

You may not always like what God is doing in your life, and you may not always understand what God is doing in your life. But you can know that God is involved in your life, 24/7, making all things work together for your good.

That leads to the third word “all.” “We know that all things work together for good.”

Now if Paul had used the word “few” or the word “some” or the word “most” we would not have batted an eye. But he said, “All things work together for good…”

Now you think about that. This verse did not say that God works all things out for our good most of the time, nor does it say that God works most things out for our good all of the time. Paul says God works all things out together for our good all of the time.

It doesn’t say that we “see that all things work together for good.” But you can know it whether you can see it or not. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean God can’t see it. Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light. But the question remains “How can this really be true?”

Behind every promise of God is the providence of God. “God works all things together for good.”

Providence simply means to see beforehand and to provide for what is seen. Do you hear that word “provide” in the word providence? The providence of God simply means that God sees every event before it occurs, and provides for that event and makes sure that it fits into God’s plan for your life.

Now that does not mean that all things that happen to us are good. As life teaches us, everything that happens to you is not good. But everything that happens to you will ultimately work together for your good.

When I was a little boy I used to watch my Great Grandmother bake cakes from scratch. Nobody in the world could make a better chocolate cake than my Grandma.

But if you take any one of those individual ingredients they are not really too tasty. Do you like to eat flour? Anybody here like to make a meal of baking powder? How about lard? How about raw eggs? Any of those things by themselves not only do I not like them, but they could make you sick.

But she would take those ingredients, mix them together, put them in the oven and out would come the greatest cake in the world.

You see, it is not what goes into the bowl that matters, it is what comes out of the oven that counts.

Now you are not always going to enjoy the ingredients that God puts into the recipe of your life.

But when He has finished baking it, you will have “Romans 8:28 cake,” and the taste will be unbelievable.

Lastly, Paul tells us that God’s purpose for us is “good.” God’s purpose for you is that the end result of your entire life will be to the “good.” Now that does not mean that things will turn out like you think they should, and it may seem that certain things that are bad at the time really are good.

Now good does not necessarily mean health, because not all Christians are healthy. It does not necessarily mean wealth, because not all Christians are wealthy.

God’s purpose for you is neither to be healthy or happy, nor to be rich or famous.

Paul declares God’s purpose for you is found in v.29, we have been predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. God’s purpose for you is to be just like Jesus in our attitudes and behavior to share Christ’s blessings to all.

The best thing that can ever happen to you in this life is not to make millions of dollars, not to become famous, not to live in a mansion, not to drive a Mercedes. The best thing that can ever happen to you in this life is to become just like Jesus in your attitudes and behavior and become Christ’s blessing to others.

Now only does God know what is good for you. What is good is not necessarily what you think is best. But I can tell you that God’s “good” is always better than your “best.”

Pastoral Prayer

Dear God, we come before you, humbled to speak as intimately to you as we do with our fathers and mothers or with our children.

Remind us, you alone gave us our life, breath and spirit. Remind us, we can hold your hand with childlike trust. Remind us, you are with us each step of our lives. Remind us, we are in your world and always in your care.

With each breath, let us feel your grace.

God, it is you who formed us and continues to transform us hearts and minds. Help us to set aside our egos and our fears so we may be open to your creative and redeeming work, becoming the people you desire us to be, conformed to the image of your Son the Christ.

God, we pray not just for ourselves. We pray for the lost and lonely. Bring them home. We pray for those who are suffering, that they may find compassion and healing. We pray for those who endure violence, that they might find peace.

With hopeful hearts, we pray for this church and community. Help us to discern your call, to see the amazing possibilities in our future, and to bravely accept the challenge to be Christ’s body on earth in ways we have never dreamed. Draw us in the Spirit’s tether and bind us together, give us a vision for our future together; one graced by peace and courage. Now we join our voices, praying as one;

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.