Thoughts on the Epistle to the Romans (143) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Thoughts on the Epistle to the Romans (143)
God, "who searches the hearts" (v. 27), sees two groups of people on earth. One consists of His enemies. Although He seeks to win them over, they are not yet reconciled with Him (ch. 5:10).

In the other group are those who are in themselves no better. They were enemies of God and guilty before Him. Through faith in Christ, however, they are justified and enjoy peace with God. The "love of God has been poured out" in their hearts through the Holy Spirit (ch. 5:1.5).

This enables believers to love God in truth, and they do so: "We love him because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). God's children thus enjoy a conscious relationship with God that is marked by love. And even if they do not always know how they should pray adequately in a given situation (v. 27), they do know that "all things work together for good" for them.

This does not mean that Christians always know why they suffer. But they have experienced God's love and trust that He will carry out His intentions with them despite any resistance. They know that God will bring good for them from every troublesome situation.

God has a "purpose" for those He has called out of the world and who are now His children. He stands over all that happens and directs everything behind the scenes, even the most trying circumstances of life. What a comfort it is that Christians can know that whatever may confront them corresponds to God's eternal purpose with His child. And my life of faith here benefits from it.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Leviticus 5:14-26 · Psalm 51:12-21