If you’ve been a follower of Jesus for any length of time, this might be a favorite verse:

Romans 8:28 – And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

These words bring us comfort and peace when we are going through trials and suffering. They remind us that there is a higher purpose at work – a divine purpose, as the holy and sovereign will of God is worked out in our lives. We understand from this verse that what we see isn’t all there is and that things are happening behind the scenes, orchestrated by our all-wise and loving Father, who only gives good and desires His best for us.

But how can this be?

How can ALL things work together for good?

We must keep this verse in context. First, this promise is not for all people. It’s for the children of God – those who love Him, and who are called according to His purpose. People who do not know God do not love Him. While God can redeem our lives, there is nothing “good” about the sinful choices of those who are lost.

Secondly, the context surrounding this verse is a lesson on the Spirit-filled life of a believer. All things work together for good as we walk in the Holy Spirit, being led by the Holy Spirit. He subdues our flesh and causes us to walk pleasing to the Lord. He intercedes for us when we do not know what to pray, and His presence in us causes us to long for the day when our flesh will be redeemed and we will put on the immortal, glorified bodies that will worship in God’s presence for eternity.

Proverbs 16 contains wisdom that goes right along with this principle of God’s sovereign will working all things out for our good.

Proverbs 16:1-3 – The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives. Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:9 – The mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:33 – The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

Do you see God’s hand of sovereignty in these verses? Our heart makes plans. Our mind plans our way. We come to the place of decision and think it’s just “chance” when we choose one or the other.

But the answers are from the Lord. The Lord directs our steps. What we thought was only a flip of the coin was a decision from the Lord.

God’s sovereignty is working in every thought, plan, and decision we make. If we love the Lord and are walking in step with the Holy Spirit, we can trust that He is leading our lives, causing all things to work together for good.

To the outsider, this might sound like God is only interested in controlling us, that in surrendering our will to God’s will we have lost something. But for the one who truly knows and loves God, this is an incredible comfort. We don’t have to be anxious or paralyzed by fear that we might make the wrong decision or take the wrong path. We can trust our loving and wise Father to lead us, and if we do make a choice that wasn’t best, be confident that He will redeem it and use it for our good.

Proverbs 16:20 – He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

How this lightens our load! As followers of Jesus, we want to do what pleases the Father. We want to make our lives count for His glory and be about His kingdom business. But every day brings a myriad of choices. Every circumstance brings us to a decision. Every trial, every joy, every blessing, every challenge presents an opportunity to do this, or that. What a burden it would be if we were walking alone, knowing that our choices can affect our own lives and the lives of our loved ones, and even future generations.

He who gives attention to the word will find good – the good that God has worked out.

What are the plans in your heart today? Pay attention to the Word – the written Word, and the words of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. He will order your steps for good.  Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.