We Are More Than Safe in God’s HandsНамуна

God is at Work in Your Life for Good

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

This is one of the most well-known verses in the Bible and one of its most life-giving promises; a sure foundation to stand upon in the storms of life, and an ever-flowing source of comfort. It contains four unshakeable convictions.

First, God is at work in your life. He is always at work—personally, uniquely, and continually. He is shaping you, healing you, drawing you, and transforming you. He is always at work in your life because you matter so much to him. What is God doing right now? Pay attention.

Second, God is at work in your life for good. Not necessarily for your success, comfort, or happiness, but for your good. In the Old Testament, Joseph’s own brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery in a foreign land. What pain and anguish he endured for years! But God meant it for good and eventually elevated Joseph to Prime Minister of all Egypt. Genesis 50:20 states, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Third, God is at work in your life for good in all things. This is the incredible part. Not some things, or many things, or most things, but all things—even things that are bad, tragic, or evil. God will take them and bring good out of them. Somehow, some way, someday, God will redeem it, whatever it is.

Fourth, this is true for believers. This is true for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. We don’t simply hope all of this is true. We know it. “We know that God causes all things to work together for good.” Every single thing. Nothing will touch us that God will not use for good. Nothing.

Joseph in the Old Testament is a superb example of this truth, but the best example is Jesus himself on the cross. When evil men nailed Jesus to a cross, it was the worst sin, the greatest crime in all history. But from God’s standpoint, it was the greatest act of love, and it did more good than anything else in history.

What man meant for evil, God meant for good. Whatever happens to you, God will redeem it for good. “God will have the final word and it will be good.”