So often we misuse Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” I can understand why we do it. When tragedy strikes we desperately try to make sense out of it. We don’t want some terrible loss to just happen without some meaning. It is our nature to order our lives and random horror is contrary to our sanity. When nothing seems to have a reason often we say, “Well, surely God must have had a purpose.” When I was a pastor I used to respond with, “Someday we will know.”
We live in a world filled with random events that ruin lives. We run over a road hazard and damage a tire. Fifty miles later it explodes and our car careens into a tree or worse across the center lane destroying even more lives. Let me be very plain. God did not do this. If anyone did it, it was Satan. However, most likely, it was a random bad thing that happened to good people.
So what about Romans 8:28? It is a wonderful promise that means when horror happens God can help. Something good can be worked out. It was not His will. But because He loves us so much He will bring about something positive. Now you are thinking but why didn’t He intervene before it occurred? That is a question no one on earth can answer. We don’t know. What we do know is someday we can talk to Him about it. But please do not blame God for the bad things that occur. We live in a dangerous place. It’s called Earth.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 20, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org