And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

            God Word reveals to us that our heavenly Father has his hand upon history.  Romans 8:28 shows us our God is not passive but active in our lives.  He is actively working in creation to bring His plans and purposes into being.  Did you know that nothing comes into your life without His knowledge or permission?  This understanding gives the believer proper perspective on their life.  As the Christian seeks to pursue faithfully living for the Lord Jesus, he/she can be completely confident in the Lord no matter what may come.  This certainly doesn’t mean that life will always be the way we would desire it, but then we don’t always desire what is best only God does that all of the time.  Take Job and his suffering.  From Job’s perspective is was neither easy nor enjoyable, but from God’s perspective it served to ascribe to Him ultimate value and glory.  In other words, God is the proper purpose of our being.

            James picks up of this in chapter four.  He writes, “Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."  So we make wise plans for the future seeking to honour Christ, but all the while understanding that every moment in our life is in the hands of the Father.  We all need to be reminded to use the phrase “God willing” in our everyday lives.

            This perspective liberates us from anxiety about the course of our lives.  I am convinced the great aspiration of Christ followers ought to be delighting in God’s work in our lives.  The depth of our faith is not measured in times of blessing, but in times of hardship.  Often people ask the question, “Why me God?” when going through rough periods in their life.  What if we were to start saying, “Thank you Lord, now teach me and use this for your glory.”?

            My life is in God’s hands always.  My deepest desire is to trust Him in all things knowing that the final verdict will be good.  My hope is not ease and leisure in this life, but an eternity of glorious worship before His throne.  Jesus has made the way to the Father, He has extended to us eternal life by His perfect sacrifice; therefore, I shall delight in all things because they working out His purpose in my life.  I pray that you would know the depths of His love and the certainty of His plans.

Have a great week!