Today's Verse:

Romans 8:28 NIV
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Today's Encouragement:

Many people look at this verse and believe that God causes all things to happen. Meaning that He makes all things to happen (whether good or evil) and brings about ultimate good in all things somewhere down the road.

I believe that God takes the lemons of life... and makes lemonade. Does He make the lemons (the evil stuff) happen? No. But He can turn them into lemonade.

Let me explain.

Many popular versions of the Bible translate Romans 8:28 like this:

Romans 8:28 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.” 

All things work for good? Murder, rape, genocide and the other horrible things too? How can this be right? All things do not work together for good. Some things are just evil.

Now pair that with the idea that God is controlling everything that happens (good or evil) and you now make God responsible for all things evil. We know He is not. No one would say that God is evil (or that He does evil). He does not. He is all good.

Is God sovereign? Yes. Is He a puppet master? No.

Here is a better translation of Romans 8:28:

Romans 8:28 NIV
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

In all things, God works for the good... now that is much different and makes sense. Our good, loving, and caring Heavenly Father is always working for our good no matter what. 

God has given us free will. How do I know this? He asks us to make decisions constantly.

Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live...”

When God gave us free will that allowed for genuine true love to exist, as well as evil. What is evil? It is choosing (with your free will) to do the opposite of what God wants.

We are not robots or puppets controlled by a puppet master. God has empowered us to make meaningful decisions. We make them every day and He tells us that we will be held accountable for those decisions. God’s will, will ultimately come to pass in this world (God wins), but there is a lot happening in the “in-between” (after Creation and before the final victory) where we get to make decisions and be “co-laborers with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9).

Jeremiah 17:10 ESV
“I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

I am so thankful that we serve a good God. One who loves us and is always fighting for us. Think of the best father you know — now imagine how infinitely greater our Heavenly Father is than that. In all things (all situations), God works for the good.

Today's Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you that I get to make decisions today. Help me to honor you with my actions and choose your ways today. Thank you for working in every situation to bring about good for me and my life. You are good and I love you! In Jesus’ name, amen.”