All things working together for good!

TEXT:

‘We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose’ – Romans 8:28

THOUGHT:

For those who love God and are obeying His call, this text is a wonderful promise. Paul writing to the Philippian church reminded them of this truth.

• Paul remembered how his evangelising at Philippi worked together for good – Acts 16:6-40

It was a result of divine direction. His plans came to a standstill, then in a night vision he saw a man saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” v9. This resulted in salvation. As Paul taught at the small riverside prayer meeting, God opened Lydia’s heart. This wealthy businesswoman became a Christian and immediately opened up her home to the Missions team. What followed next was persecution after Paul had cast out a demon from a young woman. Beaten and thrown into prison, Paul and Silas prayed and praised God at the midnight hour. Divine intervention followed in the form of an earthquake, releasing all the prisoners. Paul stopped the prison keeper from committing suicide and he became a Christian, together with all those in his household. The world may think it is in charge but the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. Philippi is a superb example of everything working together for good in spite of the bad experiences Paul and Silas encountered.

• Paul realised that his arrest and imprisonment in Rome was working together for good – Philippians 1:12-30

From prison Paul wrote to the Philippian church reminding them that what he was going through was in fact working together for good. We need to do less complaining about our lot in life and more rejoicing in God. The earthquake of release in Philippi followed their praises! So what convinced Paul that all things were working together for good?

• He discovered the palace officials and guards realised he was innocent and only detained on trumped-up charges for being a Christian, not a criminal v13.
• His arrest and imprisonment was having a positive effect on Christians v14-15. Boldness was manifested instead of fear. Satan thought he had silenced the main voice of evangelism, only to find many more had taken its place.
• He realised that even those preaching from wrong motives meant the Gospel was being preached and that was a positive v16-18.
• Any fear that his imprisonment would cause evangelism to decrease was misplaced for many others were now obeying the command of Jesus to go and preach the gospel everywhere.
• Godly concern by Christians over Paul’s imprisonment meant powerful prayer support would speed up his release v19.
• Although Paul was ready to die for his faith, he believed that his ministry was still needed especially for the Philippian church v20-26.
• He saw that his determination to be a good example even when suffering was helpful to Christians going through similar sufferings v29-30.

• Knowing all things work together for good makes it easier to handle the people responsible for our mistreatment

Jesus could pray, ‘Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing’ – Luke 23:34. Joseph could reassure his brothers he was not after revenge after their father died. ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to save many people alive’ – Genesis 50:19-20. The apostles could depart from the religious authorities rejoicing even though they had been beaten – Acts 5:41. Paul bore no bitterness against those responsible for persecuting him, for he remembered at his conversion, God promised he would suffer these things – Acts 9:16.

It truly is a fruit of the Spirit when trouble makes us sweeter not more bitter. Remember, every cloud has a silver lining!