Does Everything Happen for a Reason?
Romans 8:28: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
As my sixteen year old son and I drove back from some errands, we were discussing all the changes in our world and how they impacted every aspect of our lives. Trying to make sense of it all, my son said these words: "All things happen for a reason." He then posed the question, "Doesn't the Bible say that?" The Bible does not say that. That is a misquote of Romans 8:28 which assures us that God is in control and never surprised by the things of our world. In his sovereignty, God can use everything for a purpose. However, there is evil in the world. God has a plan, and Satan has a plan. The great news is that God's plan will ultimately triumph over Satan's plan. Jesus defeated Satan through the cross and resurrection. For those who put their faith and hope in Jesus, victory is assured.
While our ultimate victory is assured, there is the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He will seek to rob us of what is rightfully ours in Jesus Christ. Thus, he will bring viruses, racial division, injustice, financial struggle, relational struggle, and other suffering against us. With every attack of Satan, there is the assurance of the one who came that we may have abundant life (John 10:10). Through him, we can experience the victory; we can see all things work together for good for those who love him.
When we surrender to the plans and purposes of God in our lives and in this world, we can see him work all things for good. The world clings to my son's statement about everything happening for a reason; it provides a false sense of assurance. God's children trust that he will work all things for good for those who love him; he does work according to his purpose and his plan.
May we find our assurance in God's plans and purposes and trust him to work good even in our greatest challenges.
As my sixteen year old son and I drove back from some errands, we were discussing all the changes in our world and how they impacted every aspect of our lives. Trying to make sense of it all, my son said these words: "All things happen for a reason." He then posed the question, "Doesn't the Bible say that?" The Bible does not say that. That is a misquote of Romans 8:28 which assures us that God is in control and never surprised by the things of our world. In his sovereignty, God can use everything for a purpose. However, there is evil in the world. God has a plan, and Satan has a plan. The great news is that God's plan will ultimately triumph over Satan's plan. Jesus defeated Satan through the cross and resurrection. For those who put their faith and hope in Jesus, victory is assured.
While our ultimate victory is assured, there is the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He will seek to rob us of what is rightfully ours in Jesus Christ. Thus, he will bring viruses, racial division, injustice, financial struggle, relational struggle, and other suffering against us. With every attack of Satan, there is the assurance of the one who came that we may have abundant life (John 10:10). Through him, we can experience the victory; we can see all things work together for good for those who love him.
When we surrender to the plans and purposes of God in our lives and in this world, we can see him work all things for good. The world clings to my son's statement about everything happening for a reason; it provides a false sense of assurance. God's children trust that he will work all things for good for those who love him; he does work according to his purpose and his plan.
May we find our assurance in God's plans and purposes and trust him to work good even in our greatest challenges.
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