Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose." This verse is easily quoted but can be difficult to live by whenever one is going through a trial. Many Christians use that verse to comfort those that have lost loved ones or are going through some type of trial in their life. However, we sometimes have difficulty in believing that when we're put to the test.

Suffering is a part of life. Suffering affects people both saved and lost. Suffering is a result of the Fall of man. Nobody is exempt from it. A few weeks ago one of my friend's (Becky Abner) first cousins died at fifteen days old. He's now in Heaven. The question is why did he die? Why did God take him? I had an uncle a number of decades ago who had contracted an illness and he lived with that illness for approximately twenty years and then he died having hemorrhaged to death. He was called to be a preacher (he was Nazarene), but never was able to fulfill that calling because he got that disease and died at 42 years of age. Why did God allow him to contract that disease? Why did he never get the opportunity to fulfilling his calling to preach. Why didn't the Lord heal him? God only knows. I heard about a young woman this past Spring from South Carolina who had her fifth child and she bled to death and died. She departed this world leaving a husband and five children. Why would God allow her to die like that? Why would God take her knowing that she had a husband and five children that needed her on this earth? Some questions there's no answer to. We have to trust God and remember what he said in Romans 8:28.

I Peter 1:7 says, "That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ". God will put us through trials and our faith is tested when we go through trials. It reveals to the world and to ourselves to show what we're made of. Years ago the Preacher at church preached a message entitled, "A Shaken Vessel". He was mentioning when a vessel is shaken and put under pressure then what's in you will come out. God will prove us. However it will work for our good if we're called according to his purpose. Saved people are called according to his purpose. Sometimes events will happen in our life that are bad, but God will turn it around and use it for our good.

I've heard Christians testify of being afflicted with illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and a host of illnesses and how they struggled while going through it. I've heard some say that they didn't believe they were going to survive it. However, I've heard them say God used it to draw them closer unto God. I've heard their relationship with the Lord was so much more precious as a result of being inflicted with infirmities. They've been able to use what they went through and they were able to minister to others that were hurting. God used those people that had been afflicted to be a blessing to others going through similar situations.

A classic example of a character in the Bible whom Romans 8:28 would apply to would be Joseph in Genesis. His brothers sold him into captivity in Egypt. However, the Lord had plans for Joseph in Egypt. He became governor there and the Lord used that situation for Joseph's own good. The Devil will put us through a terrible trial to destroy us, but God will turn it around for our good. The Lord did the same with Job. The Lord allowed the Devil to strike Job of all that he had but Satan had to spare Job. The Lord turned that situation around for Job's good and eventually everything Job had was eventually restored.

It may take some time, but if we're not weary in well doing and faint not, then we can expect God to work things out for our own good in due time if we love God. God works according to his own timetable. We must trust him and recognize God works things out for own good even when we don't recognize it. God is faithful. I've read the scripture where it says, "I've never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging for bread."