As Stan and I were enjoying our first cup of coffee and waiting for Rick to bring our breakfast orders, Stan asked, “Do you remember what the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:28?”
“Romans 8:28,” I said. “Isn’t that the one that says something about God causing all things to work together for good?”
“It is,” Stan agreed, “with the added part that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.”
“Yeah,” I said, “I remember that part. What about it?”
“The other day,” Stan replied, “I was talking with a neighbor about what Paul wrote and he mentioned Paul’s preface and how important he thinks that is.”
“Paul’s preface? What preface?”
“In the first three words of Romans 8:28, Paul wrote, ‘And we know’.”
“So?”
“What my neighbor focused on,”Stan replied, “is that while he may know the truth of what Paul wrote about all things, it’s a whole different story for him to actually live that knowledge.”
“Live that knowledge?”
“Yeah,” Stan replied. “When things get tough and aren’t going the way we think they should, it’s easy to think maybe God isn’t working all things together for good.”
“Oh,” I said, “while we may know that God works all things together for good, we may not actually live that knowledge. Right?”
“Right you are, my friend,” Stan replied. “There’s a huge difference between knowing and living what we know!”
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Bible verses to consider:
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence and I know the truth of Romans 8:28, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity, I don’t live that truth. I may say I know you cause all things to work together for good, but I get anxious and doubtful when things don’t seem to be working together for good. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in living the truth. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Can you live the truth of Romans 8:28 because you love God, are called according to His purpose, and have accepted His provision of life with Him through the cross of Christ? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with living the truth of Romans 8:28? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to love Him and be called according to His purpose, but to live the truth of Romans 8:28? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling about what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S.Tory Teller?