Monday, July 7’s devotional.
“We know that all things work together for the good…”
There is so much in this life we simply do not know. Mark reminded us, “There is so much in this life that we do not know, isn’t there?” We don’t know if our jobs will hold, if our health will falter, or if our prayers will be answered as we hope. The world swirls with uncertainty—headlines shout, inboxes overflow, and babies cry before dawn. In this whirlwind, we ask, “Is God in control? Is he good?”
And yet, Paul makes a staggering claim: “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God.” This is not guesswork. It’s not vague hope. As Mark said, “We know, not we guess, not we vaguely hope. We know with a deep settled biblical knowledge this one unshakable truth.” This truth is not born from our wisdom, but because “God has revealed it in his word. And God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.”
What are “all things”? Mark explains, “Not some things, not just the easy things of this life, all things.” In the context of Romans 8, this is suffering. Paul writes to a persecuted church where people were dying for their faith. So this isn’t distant theology. It’s comfort for parents with sick kids, husbands staring down a diagnosis, professionals buried under pressure. It’s for us. “Suffering works together for good,” Mark says. “Loss works together for good. Even the mundane stresses of deadlines and traffic jams, everything works together for good.”
So when the house is loud, the pressure builds, and your heart feels thin, remember this: God is not distant. “Your hardship is not an interruption of his plan. It is part of his plan.” Your pain is not wasted. Your day is not random. He is “weaving every thread of your life, even the frayed ones, even the scarlet ones, into a tapestry of eternal glory.”
When your inbox overwhelms and the kids test your limits, cling to what is certain: your circumstances are not spinning out of control. God is weaving even this moment for your good.
At bedtime, tell your kids one hard thing from your day and how you trust God is using it for your good. Then ask them to share one too.
What’s one area of life where you need to replace fear with the confidence that God is at work?
Father, in the swirl of uncertainty, anchor my heart in what I know—You are good, and You are working all things for my good. Amen.
This week’s series of blog posts have been created from Mark’s notes. Read them for additional insight into the passage.
Watch the sermon here.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.