And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
God, show me your sovereignty! Wait. What does sovereign even mean? Well, the best way to describe it is with this phrase: “God is in control.” Period. Knowing that, we want to have proof that He is in control. Right? That there truly is nothing that happens outside of His will and divine purpose? To ask God, “Can’t You show me that You’re sovereign?
Most of us drank the “Happily Ever After” Kool-ade that Disney has been telling us for years - that all of our dreams can come true and we can have the fairy tale ending, if we will just do the right thing and wish upon a star! Sounds nice, doesn’t?
Then life happens! Things don’t go the way we planned. Tragedy strikes, someone walks away from us and leaves us alone and abandoned; we are told we have cancer or we lose a loved one. God where are You in all of this? Are You sovereign? Are You really in control?
Romans 8:28 begins one of the most sobering and hope-filled passages in all of Scripture. It is sobering because the apostle Paul is telling us that there are many things that will happen to us in life that will not appear to be good. It is hope-filled because Paul is telling us that when those things happen, if you love God and are called according to his purpose, God will work all things together for your good. That’s where it gets a little muddy. I often hear people say, “Well, you know all things work together for good!” Well, yes, but that’s only partially true. This is a promise for specific people. Who? “Those who love God and are called according to His purpose!”
What will work together for their good? All things. But wait! Cancer, death, terrorism, taxes, Trump vs. Hillary? All things. All things mean all things. This is where we have the problem! All things don’t seem to be good for my life. All things don’t seem to be what I want for my life. All things don’t seem to be in accordance with my plans. How could all this be for my good?
This can only be true if God is sovereign. It can only be true if God is in control. Even when we can’t understand it; even when we can explain it; even when we can’t see it; God is in control. Count on it.
*Taken from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Cedarcrest Church
