In the next two posts my good friend Alex Bowman will be posting a 2 part series called “My Good and His Glory” Enjoy!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
(Romans 8:28-30 ESV)
In the early 1740’s a ship was sailing from England to Georgia. On board were twenty-six German Moravian missionaries-men, women and children. During their journey across the Atlantic, as they were holding a worship service, a storm broke out. The English passengers screamed in panic. But these Christians looked up and calmly sang on. An English passenger later asked, ‘Were you not afraid?’ ‘I thank God, no,’ said one of the Christians. ‘But were not your women and children afraid?’ ‘No; our women and children are not afraid to die’ (Supernatural Living p. 138 by Ray Ortlund Jr.).
As you can imagine, panic and fear of immanent death began to rise in the hearts of the people. As the winds and the waves began to crash against the boat, as the boat began to be tossed to and fro in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, these Christians remained calmed. I ask, what made them remain calm in the middle of a storm? I believe it is because of their unwavering faith in God and His word in Romans 8:28. They really believed that all things worked together for their good and for God’s glory. Romans 8:28 is one of the most beloved verses in the Bible, but is often misunderstood and not applied.
How about you Christian? Do you believe that all things work together for your good? As a Christian, we cannot believe Romans 8:28 half-way. There is no middle ground, you either believe it or you don’t.
We can continue to have assurance and security in our turbulent lives because God is at work to make all things work together for our ultimate good and for His glory. In part 2, we will explore the assurance and security that God wants us to have in our lives.
Thanks, Alex for the reminder of absolute truth.