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. I. GOD DEALS WITH HIS CHILDREN AFTER A FIXED AND DEFINITE PLAN. Were a person altogether unacquainted with architecture to visit some splendid temple in the process of erection, and observe the huge, rough stones, and hoards, and timbers, iron-castings, bricks, lime, mortar, lying scattered in confusion all around: were he to see one group of workmen cutting up material here, another digging trenches there, he might truly say that he could see no plan or system in the business. But let the observer set himself to watch from day to day the busy work as it goes on; let him patiently examine, not only the minutest details, but also try to obtain a view of the general scope of the whole, and he will not be long in finding out that some superior mind regulates all, and that every stroke of every workman is conducive to the same ultimate effect. God is building up the Christian in accordance with a perfect plan into a majestic temple for the decoration of the eternal city. II. God not only carries on His great designs by a pre-established plan; but THE VERY MINUTEST CONCERNS OF HUMAN LIFE ARE ALSO COMPREHENDED IN IT. The piercing eye of God strikes through the deepest shades of night and sees with keenest sense each individual atom which makes up this grand, material universe. He perceives and clearly understands the constitution, use and properties, the bearing and the end of every organ, system, instrument, which forms this wide, mysterious world of animated nature that surrounds us. A single spark of fire may sink a city into ruins and seal the destiny of an empire; and so in God's moral government the greatest and remotest ends are often brought about by the minutest means conceivable; a "word," a "silent thought," has saved a soul; and through that soul, ten thousand other souls, from rain. The combination of the elements is as perfect in a particle of water as in a diamond. Is not the plan of God as visible in the one as in the other? III. But God HAS a plan; that plan extends to the minutest circumstances in the Christian's life; and BY THAT PLAN GOD MAKES EVERYTHING WORK TOGETHER FOR HIS GOOD! Do you tell me God never bends the laws of nature to save or favour those that love Him? I admit it. But He brings those that love Him into such relation to the laws that they turn, as ten thousand rays of light from objects round you to the pupil of your eye, unto his benefit. A ray of light is bent by the same angle for the Christian as the sinner; but the difference is this: the one sees God in it, the other sees himself, or nothing in it. The Christian's heart is a "golden bowl" turned up towards heaven, and into it God is ever pouring benefactions. The Christian does not always think them so; but in they come, pure "benefactions." 1. Then let me say, if God be working so for us, we ought not to be too solicitous about results. God is working ever us; let us leave the consequence to Him. 2. Let us also suppress our murmurings at the allotments of Providence. If God is guided by a plan; if that plan reaches down to the minutest details of daily life, what need have we to murmur. 3. And if all things are working together for our good, what reason have we to envy the wicked in their riches and prosperity? If a man be standing firmly on a river's bank and sees another gliding gaily but inevitably down to a tremendous precipice below, shall he be envious of the pleasant sail that intervenes before the dread catastrophe? 4. And if all things be working together for good, let us cast away our fears and press onward. 5. But while all things work together for good to those that love the Lord, we are told upon the same authority, "the way of the ungodly shall perish!" (Elias Nason.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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