Of course, that verse is widely quoted - and by the way, when you are quoting it - don`t quote it glibly or lightly - quote it with feeling and with great care.

Remember the person to whom you are quoting is probably going through something which they cannot even begin to understand. It is "easy" to roll it off the tongue to someone else, but how often to we really take it to heart when we go through trials ourselves ?

In this sermon by Rev Elliott, though, we actually see Romans 8:28 IN ACTION ! Here is proof positive, that indeed, all things DO work together for good to them that love God !

It is the story of Joseph, and what a story it is !

In it, we see God's Purpose, Plan Presence and Power in Joseph's life.

You remember Joseph's dream , that one day his family would bow down before him. Before that dream would come to pass, he would be sold by his brothers, slandered by Potiphar`s wife, put into prison for 13 years, and forgotten by the butler when he promised to put in a good word for him.

But God had a plan, and He was working things out through His Mighty Power.

Genesis 42:6 - "And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth."

Oh, can`t you see the Mighty work of God in all this !! Has God promised you something and you can`t see it come to pass ? Wait His time. Take heart from Joseph !!

Are you passing through a trial - you are really going through the furnace of affliction - and cannot see any way out, and the end does not seem in sight. Take heart from Joseph !

Does it seem like you are held in a prison by your circumstances ? You shake on those prison doors but there`s no-one who will let you out ? Remember Joseph ! Remember his end ! It was one of EXALTATION after terrible EXPERIENCES !

May we grasp the fact today that, if we are saved, then God has a plan and a purpose for our lives !

If we are going through some trial - I know it is so easy to try and unravel everything and try to work out ourselves what is going on in our lives - but that will only put us into a deeper spiral of depression and discouragement. Instead of trying to WORK OUT WHAT IS GOING ON - may we try and remember that the Lord is WORKING OUT WHAT IS GOING ON FOR OUR GOOD !

Please try and take the time to listen to this sermon. You will find a brief overview of it on the sermon page. I believe it will be the "tonic" that many of God`s people will need, to get things into focus and to help them through a trial or difficulty.

Let`s remember the Old Testament version of Romans 8:28 !