In the Shepherd's ArmsSýnishorn

There is a Shepherd at the End of Your Rope

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

In the journey of our lives, sometimes it feels like we're drowning in problems after problems. One problem isn't even resolved, and another one pops up. You're struggling, and instead of things getting better, they just get more complicated. You are constantly in fire-fighting mode.

It's like the whole world is against you, and you feel completely alone, while everything seems to go wrong in your life.

Maybe that's how Jacob felt. After deceiving Esau and stealing Esau's birthright blessing, instead of experiencing an easy life, he had to run away, left the comfort of his home, fearing the revenge of Esau.

Then he found Laban, his uncle. He might have thought, at least here is a safe place to stay. Alas, Laban turned out to be even trickier than Jacob, constantly taking advantage of him. When Jacob found Rachel, the love of his life, Laban even deceived him into marrying Leah first. Yet, all those years of being manipulated by Laban, God was always there to help Jacob until he finally escaped and left Laban. Then came the next big problem, how to face Esau? God helped him make peace with Esau. And then more problems kept coming. Dinah was violated, and Jacob's sons got into trouble in Shechem. God helped them, and the people who intended to harm them were scared away. After that, Rachel, his beloved wife, passed away. And even later, Jacob had to endure the loss of Joseph.

Wow, it's not easy, right?

Let's delve into the story of Joseph. From being a pampered child, he lost everything and became a slave in a foreign land. Things seemed to be improving when Potiphar, his master, favoured him. But suddenly, he was tempted by Potiphar's wife. Joseph, fearing God, resisted the temptation, but instead of receiving a blessing, he was thrown into prison without any certainty of freedom.

We don't always understand what God is doing. All we want to know is, "Why? Why me?"

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. This verse tells us that God is at work in everything to bring good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His plan.

First, we know that God is working. He is actively at work in our lives right now. He's orchestrating everything, yes, everything happening in the universe. For what purpose? For our good. God is good, and everything He does is good. For whom? For us who love the Lord and are called and chosen by Him.

If we read the preceding verses, it's said that even when we can't pray, the Spirit of God intercedes for us. And if we read the following verses, it emphasizes the immense love of God for us.

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? God is the one who justifies them (Romans 8:31-33).

Jacob eventually reunited with Joseph in his old age and held his grandchildren. Joseph forgave his brothers and echoed Romans 8:28 in his message to them: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many live " (Genesis 50:20).

Yes, we don't always understand what God is doing in our lives. We might not even be able to accept it. It's like looking at a messy, ugly tapestry from the back (see below picture). But when you see it from the front, there's a beautiful crown!

We might not understand, but believe that God is working for our good and He is weaving all the events in our lives. God is faithful. Even when you feel all things are against you, know that there is a Shepherd at the end of your rope.

Our part is to fix our gaze on Him and to believe that He is harmonizing all things for our good.