Tuesday, July 8’s devotional.
“…of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
Some days feel senseless. The car breaks down. The baby cries through the night. Work demands too much and gives too little. In these moments, we quietly wonder, “Is this really part of God’s plan?” The apostle Paul gives us an answer. He writes that “all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, CSB).
This means your pain is not pointless. Your suffering is not wasted. “God is sovereignly, God is personally, God is purposefully weaving every thread of your life, even the frayed ones, even the scarlet ones, into a tapestry of eternal glory.” What feels like interruption may be divine intention.
Mark said, “Your hardship is not an interruption of his plan. It is part of his plan.” That spilled cereal. That strained relationship. That late-night hospital visit. None of these moments are random. “God will partner in your pain and direct it towards his purpose.”
It helps to remember the examples Paul gives. Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused, and forgotten in prison. None of it was good in itself. But later he said, “You meant these things for evil, but God meant them for good.” Jesus, too, was mocked, tortured, and crucified. “What happened to him on the cross was pure evil.” But God used it “for your good, that you might be saved.”
The good Paul speaks of is not success or ease. “This isn’t health and wealth and prosperity. This is Christlikeness. This is conformity towards the image of Jesus Christ.” This is God shaping your soul into something beautiful—even in the middle of spilled milk and broken plans.
God’s purpose includes the hard things. Not as dead ends, but as tools in His hands. “Nothing is random. Your hardship is his tool to shape you for his glory’s sake.”
In traffic, on hold, or while cleaning up spilled cereal, whisper this truth: “God is shaping me even in this.” Let interruptions become invitations to trust.
Talk as a couple or family about one way God has used something difficult to teach or grow you.
Where have you seen God’s fingerprints on past pain?
Lord, when life feels random, remind me that You are always at work. Shape me through every moment, even the hard ones. 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.