Romans 8:28 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. 29: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Introduction

There are two kinds of people here this morning. Those who are being tried and those who will be tried. Those who are undergoing trials and those who will be undergoing trials. 

Trials could either make us better or bitter. In times of trials we need something to hold on to, in order for us to endure and to come forth as gold. Our text this morning has been a help to me and I am sure have been to many believers. Whenever I am in a trying time, I always go back to this verse and meditate upon it and claim it.

Why do bad things happen to good people? What do we do when life hurts? Where do we go? You and I should go to His Word; and the word of God assures us ...

Romans 8:28 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. 

Paul was sure, he has that holy confidence. He did not say, and we think, we hope, we wish, but he said, we know, we are confident, we are 100% sure, we are fully assured, we have no doubt that all things work together for our good. This is not an intellectual knowledge, this is a spiritual knowledge that only God the Holy Ghost could give.

Romans 8:28 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. 

Again, he did not say, some things work for our good, nor did he say, all things are good, but he said, all things work together for our good. 

It is very encouraging and comforting to know that all things will turn out for my good. All sufferings, sorrow and loss are used by our Father to minister to the benefit of His children.

How did Paul come to that confidence? Is it because Paul was an apostle? Is it because he loves God? Is it because he is a child of God? These may all be true but that is not the ultimate reason why Paul came to that confidence. 

I will submit to you that Paul came to that bold confidence because He knew his God. 

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul's confidence is rooted in his knowledge of his God. It is important that we know who God is, if we are to have Paul's confidence. 

Psalm 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

The word "exploits," means that they would show heroic act or a great achievement in battle.

Paul knows his God and and there are three basic attributes of God that we should know and embrace in order to be able to say with Paul "and we know all things work together for good". What are these three attributes? God is sovereign, wise and good.

We must equally and evenly receive and embrace these three attributes of God. If we overemphasize one over the other we will be unstable and shaky. It would be like sitting on a three-legged stool with one leg broken or with an uneven leg. 

Consider with me these three attributes which I am fully convinced would help us, as you and I face difficult times in our lives.

1. Our God is Absolutely Sovereign

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

This is a clear declaration of the sovereignty of God. There was nobody there to tell God what to do and how to do it.

Sovereignty is different from Omnipotence (Almighty). Omnipotence is possessing all power. Sovereignty is possessing all authority and right to exercise one's power.

Psalm 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Daniel 4:25 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Nobody can stop Him and nobody can rightly say, "What are you doing?"

Psalm 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9: For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

God is described in the Bible as One that sitteth in the heavens, dwelleth in the heavens, sits upon a throne ...

Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

The Bible is full of declaration of the sovereignty of God, from Genesis to Revelation.

Voices, voices everywhere - In time of affliction you will hear many voices. Flee to your mountain; Aha, aha; Where is now your God? There is no help in God!

The knowledge that God is sovereign gives me comfort as no other can.

I am glad that Satan is not in control, nor man, nor animal, nor nature. Praise God, He is in control and not our enemies.

Our enemies may have power but their power is limited and controlled but God Himself and they cannot exercise their power without God's permission.

2. Our God is Infinitely Wise

Absolutely Sovereign

Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

God knows what He is doing. He knows what is best for us. He knows how and when to give it to us. He knows how to accomplish what is good for us. He knows and He sees the whole picture. He knows the beginning and the end.

Job 9:2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? 3: If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. 4: He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?

Wisdom without power is useless. Wisdom without power is  helpless wisdom. 
Power without wisdom is dangerous. Power without wisdom is scary. Consider Sadam Hussein and Adolf Hitler, these guys had power but zero wisdom. But God have power and wisdom. 

Job 9:4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?

What a combination! That's comfort!

Daniel 2:15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. 16: Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. 17: Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19: Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20: Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:


3. Our God is Boundlessly Good

Absolutely Sovereign, Infinitely Wise

Psalm 52:1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

Zechariah 9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids. (Isaiah 63:7)

Psalm 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Exodus 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19: And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

His goodness is His love, grace, mercy, compassion, kind, patience, longsuffering.

What is good for us?

God seeks the best for us. He does everything for our good. But what is the good that He is seeking to accomplish in us? Free from sickness? No financial setback? Big house? Nice car? Secured job? Fat bank account? No! The good that He is seeking to accomplish in us, is to conform us to the image of His Son.

Romans 8:28 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. 29: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Trials are meant to conform us to image of His Son; to be more and more like Jesus Christ. 

When we see Him we shall be like Him (1 John 3:20).

Conclusion

To the unsaved

This promise is only to those who love God. That means to the believers in Christ. Do you love Christ? You are not a Christian if you don't. 

1 Corinthians 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

We are not saved by loving Jesus Christ. We are saved by placing our full confidence and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross. But having trusted Him we love Him. We love Him because He first loved us.

So the all important question is, have you come to the end of yourself and placed your complete trust and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you from your sins and its consequence? If you have not, why not? If you are still outside looking in, here is an incentive for you to come and enter in by faith. 

Romans 8:28 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. 29: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

To the saved

O, how weak our love is, we are prone to leave the God we love, but nevertheless we love Him. Sometimes we are grieved that we love Him so little, but isn't that grief a good sign that we do not hate Him. For us who by the grace of God, have a real love for the Lord Jesus Christ, here is a promise to claim when we face trying times.

Romans 8:28 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. 29: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Knowing this truth, that God is absolutely sovereign, infinitely wise, and boundlessly good, and that all things work together for good, do not mean we will be free from difficult times but we know where to run to, when difficult times come.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4: Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Psalm 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Trust His Heart

All things work for the good

Though sometimes we can't see how they could

Struggles that break our hearts in two

Sometimes blind us to the truth

Our Father knows what's best for us

His ways are not our own

So when your pathway grows dim

And you just can't see him,

Remember He's still on the throne

He sees the master plan

He holds the future in his hand, 

Don't live as those who have no hope, 

While our hope is found in him.

We see the present clearly

But he sees the first and last

And like a tapestry 

He's weaving you and me, 

To someday be just like Him

Chorus:
God is too wise to be mistaken

God is too good to be unkind

So when you don't understand

When don't see his plan

When you can't trace his hand

Trust His Heart


He alone is faithful and true

He alone knows what is best for you

AMEN!