Coronavirus

Romans 8:28 – #3

Posted on by Bob Mathews

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)

Although other translations will do the job, the NLT has the better presentation of what is here meant. That is important for 8:28. It also is important for 8:29f. Remember, every text has a context. We come up short if we cherry pick. We may well miss the intent of God in saying things as He does. Keeping that in mind, let’s look at how Paul elaborates upon the working of God in regard to believers who are suffering.

29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.

Suffering and hardship in this life cannot torpedo God’s arranged redemptive plan for all those who love Him in Christ.

See that little word “for” which sets in motion v.29? Well, it is no mean word.  “For” is the link, the connector. It leads to the reason for the “we know” of v.28. The reason we have confidence in what God is doing about our trials in the present is because of what He already has done ABOUT US in the past and will do in the future – and how He looks at it all. What God has, in Christ, done ABOUT us far outweighs anything life can do TO us! (That, by the way, is the basic message of the book of Revelation to believers suffering unspeakable things at the hand of persecuting Rome. You may want to look at some of that.) Here, Paul wants us to see our temporal trials as God sees them. Perspective in our pain can be huge! (Remember from the last note: we may never understand but we can stand under certain staggering realities about the God we know and love in Jesus.

So, 8:28 is true because 8:29-30 is true – and 8:28 is going on because 8:29-30 has already gone on, in the mind and purposes and workings of the One Who is before and above all. Regardless of how you slice 8:29-30, Paul’s point is this: from beginning to end, God has, according to His eternal wisdom and power, worked out His perfect arrangement in Christ for our eternal blessing and well-being. It is a done deal in the eyes of God. Regardless of its severity of the moment, suffering and hardship in this life cannot torpedo God’s arranged redemptive plan for all those who love Him in Christ. 8:29,30 is a panoramic statement of immense magnitude. It is overwhelming. It leaves Paul open-mouthed, saying, “What then can we say to these things” – 8:31? It is as if he were saying, “This is too good to be true.” Well, considering that God is in the middle of the whole movement, it is too good NOT to be true. It is the difference God makes in Christ and in YOUR trials. Paul is in awe of it. Is that not what you get out of 8:31-39? Look at it:

31 What then are we to say about these things?
If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He did not even spare His own Son
but offered Him up for us all;
how will He not also with Him grant us everything?…
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Can affliction or anguish or persecution
or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?… 
37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious
through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that not even death or life,
angels or rulers,
things present or things to come, hostile powers,
39 height or depth, or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

If you don’t mind,  I would like to come back to this. I need this for me. Do you need it for you? Here is a thought: why don’t we read 8:28-31 every day for the next week? Then, pray believing it. You see, having God’s perspective on things elevates everything about our lives as believers, especially how we think and how we pray. Nothing here has been said in levity or indifference about our hardships and heartaches. We dare not minimize the pain and fears many experience. But it emphatically matters that we get God’s view of the whole thing, don’t you think?

peek

Romans 8:28 – #2

Posted on by Bob Mathews

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 

I think the NLT has it more accurately translated:

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose. 

See the difference? “Things,” much less “all things” are not always going to work themselves out, much less for my good.  The events and circumstances of life are under no moral obligation to benefit me. It can be a crap shoot at times. BUT, Romans 8:28 is God’s word about what HE is doing with the events and circumstances of human history at a given moment, especially as they bear upon the lives of His own in Jesus. Romans 8:28 is not about what is going on, but about what God has going on with what is going on. We cannot fathom the immensity of all the workings of God in time and space, which is the world in which we live. We could not grasp it were it tossed into our laps. It is infinitely beyond our comprehension. It is a God-thing. But the Lord tells us enough to trust Him in how He is managing it all for our good, including its ultimate outcome.

It is our nature to want to make sense of things. That is a repeated scene in the Psalms: If I am trying to serve and honor God, why do people hate me, why am I suffering and/or sick, why do bad things happen, etc? Add to that the fact that the ungodly often seem to have it better than I. What is the deal? How can this possibly be for my blessing? You see, we want to make sense of, to UNDERSTAND things that are happening. Here is a thought: instead of demanding to understand it all, why not STAND UNDER what I clearly do know: about God, Who He is, what He has already done, how He already has proven His love and faithfulness, so forth? (That, by the way, is how most of those Psalms conclude: with an affirmation of confident trust in the Lord and His unfailing kindness. Check it out in your reading.)

Just how well do I know God? How well acquainted am I with the Lord? And isn’t that the gist of David in Psalm 23: that He knew God so well from past experience that he would trust Him in the present and with the future?

This leads to another kind of question, a deeper one: just how well do I know God? Not know “about” God, but God Himself? Not just facts about God, or even Jesus. I can know facts about a person without ever really knowing that person, right? The important question is: How well acquainted am I with the Lord? If someone were to ask me how to really know God, how would I help them?

This is so important. Whether or not I ever know the whys and wherefores of life, I can know God in His Son Jesus. In Christ, we see and hear God on earth applying His control and power to life on a daily basis, in all walks of life, the good, bad, and the ugly. (That’s exactly what He was doing with the twelve, is it not?) If He did so then, will He not do so now? If He was in control then, will He not also be in control now? He was FOR us then, to the point of the cross – 8:31,32. Is He not FOR us now? He wants us to see and hear and feel and know Him. He was on earth for us not Himself. Consider that in how you look at you and Him. The better I know Him, the better I can trust Him to do what only God can do about the workings of life.

And isn’t that the gist of David in Psalm 23: that He knew God so well from past experience that he would trust Him in the present and with the future? A relationship like that does not happen in a vacuum. God had proven Himself to David over a lifetime. David had experienced God in a personal and intimate sense. So, though now in the dark valley,  David couldn’t forget that. It sustained Him in the presence of his enemies. It does the same for me.

Life will not always be my friend. I cannot really trust it.  But not so with the Lord! Is it not comforting to know that, when things have gone haywire, God has not gone anywhere! He is with me. Beyond that, He is over all that other stuff. God is not controlled by life. Earth does not run heaven! Heaven runs earth! That is why God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him. It is because He CAN!

What about the questions we ask when things are going badly?  Things can be just so very hard for us at times, right? Well, why not think about the questions we ask, and if they are the ones most helpful?

For example, we usually ask WHY, right? Why NOW, why THIS, why ME, why US? (By the way, I don’t see God striking people with lightning in the Biblical record when they cried out with their “whys.” He loves us far beyond our doubts and confusion. Never tell someone that they cannot ask God, “Why?” Sometimes we kick people when they already are down.)

But I will agree that WHY is not the most helpful thought for my heart when life seems to be imploding. Here is a thought: would it be more useful for me to ask the Lord HOW: as in how do You want me to respond to the circumstances I face? See the difference that can make? Another good question to ask could be WHAT: as in what do You want me to remember and/or see in this situation? Above these could be the question of WHO: Lord, how can I best acknowledge You and Your glory and Your faithfulness and Your control and Your kindness and Your love during this hard time in my life. I just want to know and see You, God, and trust Your perfect compassion and control above all that is happening.

Think about the questions which can hurt and help. Romans 8:28 lies within a context of suffering in the world but also of God’s supremacy and absolute sovereignty, to the point of superintending the outcome of it all – AND THAT FOR MY GOOD IN JESUS!

That will have to do until our next talk on it. Our intention is to help and not in any way to make things more difficult.

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

peek

Romans 8:28

Posted on by Bob Mathews

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28)

On numerous occasions, the Lord spoke of painful trials coming upon those who follow Him. Some of these sufferings would be intentional, others, incidental. Either way, they would hurt and, sometimes, perplex. Romans 8:28 is one of scripture’s most quoted texts about painful trials in life. In our current time of Covid 19 crisis and challenge, it is important to see what it means and how it can help.

By the millions, we are hurting, but our hurting did not originate with the current pandemic.

By the millions, we are hurting. Not all in the same ways, but still hurting. But our hurting did not originate with the current pandemic. Romans 8:28 is a word of PERSPECTIVE from God on it all. (How I look at a thing affects how I deal with it, right?) Now, it is a weighty thing to suppose oneself to wholly have the mind of God on a matter. Knowing that limitation, it is yet my hope that the following will do a little justice to what He is saying about life’s hardships and heartaches.

First, consider the CONTEXT of Romans 8:28. Context ALWAYS is critical in drawing out (exegeting) the meaning God poured into a thing. Biblical truths do not exist in a vacuum.  You may want to open your Book to this. The larger immediate context is 6:1-8:39. Its emphasis is upon the sanctified (holy) life of the believer as an outgrowth of being justified by faith in Christ Jesus. Since God in the holy Christ has, by His grace, made things right between the sinner and Himself, certain things should follow. Those things include a holy mindset shaped by the same cross which gives eternal life.

Now, in the latter part of that context, Paul speaks in chapter 8 of two areas of tension for the believer. One is the battle/tension on the INSIDE between the flesh and the Spirit, and how God has equipped us to win that thing. That is 8:1-16, more or less (Chapter 6 also speaks to it, as does Galatians 5). The other stressor mentioned by the apostle is that which emanates from the OUTSIDE: “the sufferings of this present time” – v. 18. We are not sure about precisely what he was talking with the Roman church, but you can be sure that they knew (or would soon know). Paul expounds upon how God has provided for us to win against whatever comes at us, painful though it may be. In 8:31-39, he celebrates that with an overflowing exuberance about how God has provided victory in any and all circumstances. (The preceding is more or less a drum roll to the consummation of the unstoppable redemptive purpose of God for all things. You do yourself a favor in reading it.) That is the context of 8:18-39, in which is nestled our 8:28:

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 

What are we to make of this? Well, first, what are we to make of 8:18-25: the immediate context of 8:28? At the least, we see that the world (creation) in which we live is a broken and suffering system. How else can v.20-22 be understood? The good news is that God has established a hopeful outcome for His once-perfect physical creation. (You can check it out. He did choose that word: hope! Maybe we should do more thinking on our ideas about II Peter 3, huh?) The creation, this world, was His, right? And still is, regardless of how broken it is, right? So, He still can do what He wants with it, right? (He already has willed to curse it, at the Fall account of early Genesis, right?) Well, it seems that He also wills (wants) to deliver it from its bondage and brokenness. At least, that is what He SAYS, right? (Yes, I know how some have sought to “explain” these words. But is it not possible that the Lord has it here that we might know and believe it? Hmmm.) You see, the events of the cross affected more than the sin of man. They triggered a cosmic shock wave that had far-reaching effects upon the outcome of the physical creation. That outcome now is a hopeful thing – v.20. And, more so, it includes hope for those in Jesus – vv. 24,25.

Because we live in a sin-broken and suffering world-system, it is inevitable that we will suffer. Bad things will happen simply because of where we are.

But our focus is the current state of things in our world, life as we know it. You know how we say it: “Stuff happens.” “Life happens.” So forth. Because we live in a sin-broken and suffering world-system, it is inevitable that we will suffer. Bad things will happen simply because of where we are. Things can turn south in a heartbeat. On the other hand, there is the grind: unrelenting chronic trials of those who virtually never know an easy day. All that because of where we are, not counting the fact that we are, at best, sinners worthy of no good from God. Don’t forget that. In Jesus, we have received good – and good news – from God. But that is by grace, right?

Now, here are some things which may help us with the grand truth of 8:28:

  1. It is best to know and love that truth BEFORE we need it. (Which is true of anything God says about anything, but our focus is this particular thing of suffering and perspective.) Mark it ahead of time, for your own sake.
  2. Remember that 8:28 is preceded by some assurances that God is moving His entire creation (believers included) toward an inevitable glorious outcome. That is 8:18f.
  3. Because of the immense pain of our trials, we may not even be able to articulate how we feel in prayer. Because of weakness, we don’t know what to say to God Himself. We try. We feel guilty in our failure to do so. But we are so hurting that we can’t even think right much less pray right. Well, the Lord also has help in that event. That help is the Holy Spirit. He will do our thinking and praying for us during times when we are shut down. Is that not wonderful? That is 8:26-27. Read it without dissecting it. And why all this? BECAUSE GOD INTENDS US TO MAKE IT! No matter how painful the situation, He has planned and provided for His own in the Son to persevere and win in the end.
  4. Due to the severity of my trial, there is something I may NOT KNOW: how to pray as I should (8:26 says that). But 8:28 points me to something beyond that: something which I CAN KNOW. Note the contrast: NOT KNOW and WE KNOW. I may be in such pain that I do not know how to pray. But I still can know how to think. I can know what I already knew: that I love and trust God regardless of how my plight unfolds. And because of that, I also KNOW that He will have the last word on the outcome of things for me, that the sufferings of THIS time are not worthy to be compared to the glory of THAT time! How can you beat that?
  5. Think on this, friend. It is no mere pep talk, no “Don’t worry, it will be fine.” Hogwash! My situation may never be “fine,” but God will be faithful in His plan for me, in and through and beyond all of it.

We will have to pick this up later, don’t you think? Maybe one of you can say it better.

Just keep this mind. Regardless (and I know this may sound elementary but it is so very critical), regardless of what Covid 19 has done or will do to you or yours, if you will trust the God of Romans 8:28, the score will be:  God 1  –  covid 19 O. You don’t have to understand all of it. Just trust it. There is more.

robert

Prayer about Coronavirus

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Prayer and Coronavirus

(Over at our place, we are taking turns praying for specific groups of people affected by this ugly pandemic. I am sure you also are praying. The following is a prayer posted by World Vision, an international aid organization. You may find it helpful in structuring your thinking and praying during this troublesome time. Robert)

Pray for people who are infected with COVID-19 or facing quarantine.

Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses.

Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Pray for people at higher risk of developing the disease.

Dear Lord, we lift to You our concern for people who are more likely than others to become severely ill from COVID-19 — the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Protect them from harm and be their comfort in this time of uncertainty and, for many, preventive isolation from loved ones.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Pray for medical professionals, caregivers, and researchers responsible for fighting the new coronavirus.

God, as more people get sick, healthcare workers and first responders are working longer hours with fewer supplies and with more risk of contracting the new coronavirus themselves. Renew their energy and sustain them on long shifts. Bring Your protection upon them as they work with patients. Multiply their supplies so they have the protective items needed to stay safe on the job.

Inspire and invigorate the research doctors developing better tests to diagnose the virus, create vaccines to prevent it, and identify protocols to eliminate the disease’s spread.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

Pray for leaders responsible for making decisions about the new coronavirus.

Father, we seek Your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world. We pray that they communicate clearly, truthfully, and calmly — with each other and with the public — and that their messages are received and heeded. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection.

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers … (2 Corinthians 1:10-11)

Pray for families adjusting to new ways of life.

Holy Spirit, as families adjust to everyone being home as businesses and schools close, we ask that You guide people in their new realities. Give spouses grace for each other. Prompt worn-out parents to speak words of kindness and encouragement to their children. Help children find creative ways to experience the beauty of all You have created and continue learning.

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. (Psalm 57:1)

Pray for business owners and families facing financial stress.

Jesus, we thank You for Your faithfulness in how you have guided and equipped people in their jobs and have provided in the past. It can be scary and overwhelming not knowing how bills and obligations will be met or to not be able to provide for families. As people feel financial strain during the uncertainty, bring them comfort and peace, reminding them that You are there for them. Provide for them in their times of need.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Pray for grocery store workers and delivery drivers.

Lord, we are so grateful for all the people who continue to work each day so that people are able to eat. We ask that You bless and protect them as they serve. Give them grace to handle disgruntled customers during supplies shortages. Keep their bodies healthy as they unload and stock boxes of supplies. Keep their cars and trucks running smoothly as they deliver needed supplies and food people have ordered online. And please protect them all from contracting the new coronavirus.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Pray for the disease to stop spreading.

Almighty God, we know that everything is in Your sovereign control. We ask that You keep this new coronavirus from continuing to spread. Give government officials the ability to safely handle people arriving from other countries. Help people decide to stay home instead of traveling or going out needlessly. Holy Spirit, remind people to wash their hands properly. And while it may be heartbreaking, comfort families as they decide to keep their distance from elderly or other high-risk family members.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea … (Psalm 46:1-2)

Kristy J. O’Hara-Glaspie of World Vision’s office in the U.S. contributed to this