Promises That This Too Shall Pass Series

Last week I talked to you about suffering and struggle. We’ve all been in the middle of suffering and found ourselves saying, “This too shall pass,” clinging to the hope that things will get better. And most bad situations in this world do get better. But not the worst ones. The specter of death hangs over our heads, no matter how cheery we try to be. Our struggle to overcome sin and evil in this world never ends. But one day, death will no longer separate us, and sin and evil will no longer exist. That is uniquely Christian hope. Those are some of the hopes we are assured of in Romans 8:28-39 , and I want to look at those assurances this morning. Because Christians should be standing at the caskets of our loved ones, saying, “This too shall pass.” “This is only temporary.” “This is not the end.”

Starting in verse 28.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

28 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.

This doesn’t say that God makes bad things happen so that he can bring good out of them. What it says is that when you serve God, there is no bad thing that can happen to you that God can’t bring good from. This doesn’t mean we’ll enjoy it while it’s happening, that it will feel good at the time – just that God will ultimately bring good out of everything that happens in the lives of those who serve him. That good may be some change in the world or the community, but most often is a change in our own hearts and minds and attitudes and perspectives. This is one of the Bible’s grand promises and can be a comfort when we are struggling – no matter what we are going through, God will make sure it’s not in vain.

Verses 29 and 30 are so confusing in the New International Version, I want to read these to you from The Message, which makes them much easier to understand.

Romans 8:29-30 (MSG)

29 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.

30 After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.

Wow. Those are powerful statements about God’s intention behind our lives. It starts with a promise –God knew what he was doing. Ever question that? I question it all the time. Purpose-Driven Life, chapter 1, first sentence – “It’s not about you.” The everyday Christian life, first principle – “God knew what he was doing.” He knew what he was doing when he created you, when he placed you the family you ended up in, when you were struggling with depression or alcoholism, when your mom or dad died, when you were in that accident – God knew what he was doing.” Doesn’t mean God caused all your problems, but he knows what he is doing. If we cannot come to accept that and place our faith in it, nothing else in the world is going to make any sense. Next time you are struggling or suffering, ask yourself the question, “Does God know what he is doing?”