If your life is going great right now, this is the best time to reflect on life’s challenges because when troubles come, you need to be armed and ready to fight with the Power of the truth from God. But if you are in a time of struggle right now, take heart. It is not too late to receive God’s word of hope.
Romans 8:28. “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” You can generally take this to mean that no matter how bad things look right now, in the end, everything will turn out for the best. Usually most take this verse 28 to support their own ambitions and purposes. They quote the promise that “In all things God works for the good” but they leave out the condition “For those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
When things don’t go your way, the first thing to remember is (God’s Purpose) for you! What is God’s purpose, God’s ultimate goal for you? Do you have the mistaken idea that God’s purpose is for you to be happy. Do assume that happiness is your right and goal. Have you heard the saying “It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you’re happy” and “Don’t worry, be happy.” But God’s ultimate goal for you is not happiness.
Or do you have the mistaken idea that (God’s Purpose) is for you to be “successful”.
But according to the scripture reading, you can see that God’s purpose has nothing to do with either happiness or success. 8:29 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” (God’s Purpose) is to conform you in the image of his Son, the likeness of his Son.
Or do you have the mistaken idea that (God’s Purpose) is for you to be “successful”.
But according to the scripture reading, you can see that God’s purpose has nothing to do with either happiness or success. 8:29 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” (God’s Purpose) is to conform you in the image of his Son, the likeness of his Son.
What’s life all about? Some will prosper in business and others will fail, some will have many children and others will not be able to have even one. Some will be born in a happy family but some will not even have their own family. You have no assurance of happiness or success. All you do know is that God will work all things together for your good in order to fulfill His ultimate goal of making you like Jesus.
When things don’t go your way, remember (God’s Purpose)! When things don’t go your way, the second thing to remember is (God’s Plan). v. 30 – “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
God has a plan of salvation and it was settled before the foundation of the world. God knows who will be saved and has a plan, a method, and a design for fulfilling his purpose in them. (God’s Plan) will bring you to full maturity because as Scripture has said; (God’s Purpose) is to make you like Christ. (God’s Plan) will ensure that this goal is achieved in you.
God has a plan of salvation and it was settled before the foundation of the world. God knows who will be saved and has a plan, a method, and a design for fulfilling his purpose in them. (God’s Plan) will bring you to full maturity because as Scripture has said; (God’s Purpose) is to make you like Christ. (God’s Plan) will ensure that this goal is achieved in you.
The problem is, you have your own plans too and sometimes they do not line up with (God’s Plan). Proverbs 16:9 says; "The human mind plans their way but the Lord directs the steps." You can make plans till you’re blue in the face, but it is God who determines your course in life. Scripture repeatedly commends the wise steward and the diligent worker but you need to hold your plans loosely up to God in humble obedience. When your goals are frustrated, look to God’s higher purpose. And when your plans are frustrated, look to God’s higher plan.
When things don’t go your way, another thing to remember is (God’s provision).
God will provide all the resources you need to endure the struggle and suffering you face. Let’s look at the four questions in 31-34. v. 31 if God is for you, who is against you? Does your struggle involve an enemy, a person who is mocking you for your faith or your Christian ethics? Is there someone who seems to be against you? Remember God’s provision. If God is for you, who is against you? v. 32 “He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for you, will he not also give you everything else?” In your struggle you may feel that you just can’t go on anymore. You have no more love to give, your patience has run dry, and God seems to be withholding what you need most. But this is the God who gave the most precious thing when He had given you the gift of Jesus Christ. If God had given you the Son, will he not also give you everything else? Yes, He will. In fact, Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all you can ask or imagine. When things don’t go your way, the thing to remember is (God’s provision).
God will provide all the resources you need to endure the struggle and suffering you face. Let’s look at the four questions in 31-34. v. 31 if God is for you, who is against you? Does your struggle involve an enemy, a person who is mocking you for your faith or your Christian ethics? Is there someone who seems to be against you? Remember God’s provision. If God is for you, who is against you? v. 32 “He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for you, will he not also give you everything else?” In your struggle you may feel that you just can’t go on anymore. You have no more love to give, your patience has run dry, and God seems to be withholding what you need most. But this is the God who gave the most precious thing when He had given you the gift of Jesus Christ. If God had given you the Son, will he not also give you everything else? Yes, He will. In fact, Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all you can ask or imagine. When things don’t go your way, the thing to remember is (God’s provision).
And finally, when things don’t go your way, remember (God’s presence).
When you have hardships or persecution, when you’re penniless, friendless, hopeless and loveless, it can feel like God has forsaken you. But v. 38 assures you that nothing can ever separate you from God’s love. Death can’t. Life can’t. The angels won’t and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Your fear for today, your worries about tomorrow, or if you are-flying high in the joys of life or in the deepest emotional ocean-nothing will ever be able to separate you from the love of God demonstrated by the Lord Jesus Christ when he died for you. When things don’t go your way, remember (God’s Purpose) is to make you like Jesus, remember (God’s Plan) is to bring you to full maturity, remember (God’s provision) includes all the spiritual resources you need day by day and remember (God’s presence) - nothing can separate you from His love.
When you have hardships or persecution, when you’re penniless, friendless, hopeless and loveless, it can feel like God has forsaken you. But v. 38 assures you that nothing can ever separate you from God’s love. Death can’t. Life can’t. The angels won’t and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Your fear for today, your worries about tomorrow, or if you are-flying high in the joys of life or in the deepest emotional ocean-nothing will ever be able to separate you from the love of God demonstrated by the Lord Jesus Christ when he died for you. When things don’t go your way, remember (God’s Purpose) is to make you like Jesus, remember (God’s Plan) is to bring you to full maturity, remember (God’s provision) includes all the spiritual resources you need day by day and remember (God’s presence) - nothing can separate you from His love.
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