CAN THE BAD REALLY BE MEANT FOR GOOD
Susan Murray
Today’s Scripture: “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. .… to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Romans 8:28-29a, NIV
Theme: Though you may not understand at the moment, your life’s purpose is always found in God’s plan, through every circumstance, good or bad.
GOOD
Life can be so good. I sit here on my back patio in the shade, enjoying the beautiful trees and pond, listening to my wind chimes and all feels right with the world. There are a lot of good things in my life but if I am not careful, I can take those things for granted or give myself credit, forgetting that “every good and perfect gift is from [God] above” (James 1:17a, ESV).
BAD
Just as there are good things in life, bad things come as well, often unexpectedly, and no one is immune. Maybe it started in the beginning of your life; maybe midlife or even toward the end. But no matter when bad came, you were faced with a crisis just like Sam and her family in the movie Penguin Bloom, which is based on a true story. This bad thing that happened to Sam affected everyone around her. It was a huge loss, bringing suffering that affected every area of her life.
PURPOSES
The question that often first pops into our minds is, “WHY? Why me, my family?” The bad can be so many things. Maybe it’s a consequence of sin because we are warned that we “reap what we sow” (Galatians 6:7). This bad is inviting us to the goodness of God’s grace for repentance and change. Maybe it’s another person’s sin against you that brought bad things into your life, inviting you to the goodness of forgiveness by remembering God’s forgiveness for you so that you are not trapped in bitterness. Or maybe it was just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, like Sam when she leaned against the rail which broke. What good purpose did that serve? We can’t see one. But just because we can’t see any purpose doesn’t mean there's not one. God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). He doesn’t withhold anything that is necessary for His purposes, even if we can’t see them. This requires faith - faith that He loves us and that He is still a good Father.
ULTIMATE GOOD
Earthly good things feel great and are a blessing to be enjoyed, but Jesus said, “What would it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit [lose] his soul?” (Mark 8:36, ESV). Sin introduced the bad things in life, beginning with the fall in the Garden of Eden in Genesis. Born as sinners and still with a sin nature to contend with, God uses the bad things in life for our good. He has a greater purpose than our comfort. What greater good could there be for those who love Jesus than to become more like Him?
Make It Personal: When bad things happen, what do you usually do? If it causes you to doubt God’s goodness, cry out to Him expressing your doubt and anger. Seek God Himself. He will answer that prayer. Are you open to seeing that suffering, although not pleasant, can bring good? Are you willing, like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to His crucifixion, to saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done”( Luke 22:42, ESV). Jesus, submitting to God’s will, was for our good, our salvation. There is no greater good in store for us.
Pray: Father, You are always good and everything You do is for my good. I praise You for Your goodness. Forgive me for trying to be my own god, exerting my own will for my own purposes. I accept Your will to be done in my life, even if it means difficulty and suffering. Yet I ask that I know Your presence in that suffering so I can be more like Jesus. Amen
Read: Psalm 119:71-77; James 1:2-4; Romans 8:18-19; Hebrews 12:2-3; Isaiah 41:10; Psalms 34:18
Weekly Memory Verse: “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8, NIV