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God’s Providence is Good

“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”

(Romans 8:28)

We may look upon Romans as the heart of the Bible and this eighth chapter as the heart of Romans. If that’s too strong, it at least makes the point regarding its value and prominence. It’s a chapter of security and assurance. Who doesn’t need that in this trying world? Consider this lofty statement regarding God’s providence:

“And we know” – The longer we live the more we realize how little we know. The apostle had just made the point: “we know not what we should pray for as we ought” (Romans 8:26). However, we know…

“that all things work together” – Someone has said everything is a thing. Some are big and some are little, some are seen and some are unseen, but all are “things”. The truth declared is this: the sovereign God is causing all things to “work together”.

“for good” – It doesn’t say all things are good. Immorality, war, abuse and sin are not good. Yet, does the preacher not conclude: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)?

“to the them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” – These are next called “God’s elect” (Romans 8:33). They are “called” by effectual grace and thus “love God”. All but no more are called except God purposed before the world’s foundation to call them. They are “called” out of darkness and into light; and, out of bondage and into liberty; and, out of ignorance and into the knowledge of the truth; and, out of trusting their own righteousness to resting in Christ’s, which God imputed at the cross.