Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 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 8:26-30
My favorite Scripture verse is in this passage. I especially like the New American Standard version: “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.” This puts the action in the hand of God (“God causes all things to work together …”) where the English Standard Version is less definitive of the source (“all things work together…”). As I look back over my life, I can see God’s hand working for good in things that I thought were awful at the time. Remembering those times brings me consolation when I’m in the midst of difficulty and tragedy—I know that even in trouble, God will cause all things to work together for good.
Thank You, Father God, that You work all things together for my good. Even when the world looks dark and I can see no way good can come from a situation, You are working that situation together with other things in my life to bring a good result. When I am looking at hard times, remind me of the many times you’ve brought good out of evil. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, now and forever. Amen.
These daily devotions are available in a book The Grace of God, with all profits donated to Love for the Least to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. L4L shares the Good News of the Gospel with the least and unreached by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples (2 Tim 2:2) and by helping to meet the physical needs of the poorest of the poor.