This is one of the well known and favorite verses, but does it receive its full impact? We use it when we are in distress, but does all of our living fit under this passage with ALL of our lives as a whole placed in the context of this very text? It is easily confessed and recited by many but often times we fail to remember and quote and use this text when we should! We revisit these words this morning as we live this journey which often brings many distresses and anxieties that we too may break forth in doxology!

In What and when: There is nothing small or narrow in the scope of this text. The writer is all inclusive..."In ALL things..." Nothing is excluded giving us a viewpoint to consider all of our lives. (Not having this overview often times.) We see the tree instead of the forest! All things work together...they mesh without isolation and everything in our life...yes the high and the lows, stand in relationship to the rest in God's grand work in our lives. Why> Because "we are the called according to God's purpose" as we PERSONALLY have a scheme and fit into His realm! God chose to glorify Himself through man as He took him into His fellowship. We have been called. God calls us into His fellowship through the preaching of His Gospel to Himself! And....God's glory is in ALL things though we may not see it many times. They ALL work to the glory of God in our life without distinction! They are always designed in His grand scheme without even a hair falling from our heads without it being God! And often we line up with Jacob and say "all things are against us...." And we are told to stand back and see the forest and grand picture! Yes...even in tribulation!

For Whom: We don't always appreciate a fatherly hand in our lives. They are FOR US! Would God deal with us any differently than in His sovereign love with whom He gave up His only Begotten Son for?? "To them that love God.." You don't read "To them whom God loves" here. When we walk in a sanctified life and keep His precepts that is the love of God. As we walk in His love, the hardships come and we think that not walking in His precepts with change the circumstance?! We are tempted to compromise?! But ALL things work for our good and in the way of loving God ALL things will work out for out good! "We know..." The knowing or knowledge of faith which focuses itself on those things the carnal eye cannot see. (If we react to the carnal we will find our confession not to be true in fact.) Look at Joseph. God meant all things for good. And Abraham...who often wrestled with God...and Israel who in Egypt looked with a carnal eye of unbelief. David who saw the giant and could have trembled but says "the Lord is on my side!" Daniel who saw the lions?! No...God was on his side! We are recipients of His love and loving-kindness and work for our good. That's the value of confession and the doctrines that we hold so dear! We abide in His palm always and forever!

Tremendous Comfort: It is unchangeable! Sometimes we are chastened (not punished) but all things work and are for our eternal good to His glory ALWAYS! Absorb this Word of God this morning. ALWAYS good to Israel and to us! Is there anything greater? Anything? Everything for our good!!!