March 3 - For Our Good.

Romans 8:28-31
“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. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
 
When we are in the middle of a trial or a period of tribulation, we often forget the Truth of this passage of Scripture. Whatever your struggle, your storm, your valley… God is working it together for your good, and ultimately for His glory.
 
If you’re focused on the wind and the waves of the storm you are enduring, remind yourself of how Peter had the courage to walk on the water and he didn’t start sinking until he took his eyes off of the Master of the Sea. If you will fix your eyes on Him, the Author and the Finisher of your faith, you like Peter can walk on the water of your stormy sea.
 
Notice that after the Scripture encourages us “that all things work together for good to them that love God” the Lord then reminds us of our progressive transformation through Christ Jesus: God first foreknew us before the foundation of the world. He also predestinated us to be conformed to the image of His Son. He then called us to know and serve Him, while justifying us. Notice the tense of this verse. We are called, justified, and glorified. In the past tense this tells us that in the mind of God, He has already allowed those things to take place in us. As He sees us through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, we are called, justified, and glorified. Hallelujah!
 
Because we are called, justified, and glorified, what can we say?
 
“If God be for us, who can be against us?”
 
Maybe the valley you are walking through began because you’ve been hurt by someone. This verse reminds us that no matter what people may throw at us, with God on our side we cannot be defeated. The circumstances surrounding you right now may seem hopeless and without end, but God is for you! Let Him do the fighting. There is a great reminder of this in Exodus 14:14, “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
 
Remind yourself today that through Christ you are called, justified, and glorified by God. He has made us His children, joint heirs with Jesus Christ. And because we love God and are called according to his purpose, He is working all things together for our good, and for His glory.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Numbers 5-6  |  Luke 14  |  Psalm 32