Strong Consolation
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"And 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
The apostle never seemed to think that the Lord's people could be too happy, or that he could comfort them too much. He therefore opens one source of consolation after another to them, so that they may be filled with all joy and peace in believing. He had pointed them to their bright hopes in the future, to the work of the great Comforter in their hearts, and to the knowledge which their heavenly Father has of their desires and prayers; and now he seems to bid them look around upon all that is taking place in the world and in the Church, and says, "And 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).
The Sweet Persuasion. "All things work together for good." As if everything were in motion—as if all things were in combination—as if all things, being combined, were under a special direction—as if the end to which all things so directed were to do the Lord's people good, the greatest possible good. Yes, all things are at work, at work in connection, and our good will be the end of the whole!
All GOOD things for our good.
Everything in God: all his divine perfections; all his gracious purposes; all his glorious attributes.
All things in Christ: all his offices; his perfect obedience; his precious blood; his constant intercession.
All things in the Church: all the ordinances; all the supplies sent; all the operations wrought; all the manifestations granted.
All things in the world: good government; the bounties of Providence; the benefits of citizenship.
All the work of the Holy Spirit: his convictions and consolations; his unction and his teachings; his leading and guiding; his sealing and confirming.
All the good things of heaven, all the good things of earth, all temporal good things, and all spiritual good things—work together for the good of the Church of Christ.
All BAD things for our good.
All our sufferings and sorrows;
all our temptations and trials;
all our sadness and grief;
all our persecutions and privations;
all our desertions and conflicts;
—the law in the members, the corruptions of the heart, the weakness of the flesh, the sadness of the spirit, and even our doubts and fears—are overruled for our good. What we would be without these things, we know not; but we are too worldly, too carnal, too proud, too selfish with them. God uses them as ballast to the vessel, as medicine for the soul.
All things work together, not separately and apart. They co-operate as workmen in a great manufactory, each having his place to fill and his work to perform. They mutually assist each other, as the different wheels in some great machine, or the different parts of a magnificent steam-engine.
They work together as the storm and calm, the cold and heat, the sunshine and shade, in the world of nature. All under God's direction, unite to fulfil God's promise: "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease." Just so, all things in providence co-operate and combine to perform the word, "I will rejoice over them to do them good."
The END God has in view, in all that he does and in all that he permits—is the present and everlasting good of his people. But of WHAT is for their good, God is the judge, whose knowledge is perfect, and whose wisdom is infinite.
It may be for their temporal good, as were the persecution and sufferings of Joseph; therefore he could say to his brethren, "But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
It shall be for their spiritual good. Upon this, God's heart is set. To this, all things in heaven, earth, and hell are directed; so that in reference to our most painful trials, we shall have to say with David, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn your statutes." And again: "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept your word. You are good, and do good; teach me your statutes."
It will be for their eternal good. The things of time—have their outcome in eternity. They prepare us for it, and are most intimately connected with it: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Therefore says James, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Mark the certainty of Paul: "We know that all things work together for good."
He knew from the oath and promise of God. He knew from his own personal experience. He knew from the history of the Church in all ages.
He knew from God's relation to his people, which is close, tender, and abiding; so that if Zion should say, "The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me," he at once replies, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget; yet will I not forget you!" He knew from God's care of his people, which is constant, active, and paternal; so that whatever temptation or trial may overtake them, or in whatever trouble they may be, he always makes a way for their escape, that they may be able to bear it.
He knew from God's purpose, too, according to which he called, and will preserve and bless them; and the counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart unto all generations." Let us notice now—
The Interested Parties. "Those who love God." This is man's act toward God. All his people love him, and love him because he first loved them. They love him as a God in Christ, in whom he has revealed and made himself known. God in Jesus is a just God and a Saviour. All his sublime and glorious attributes are revealed in all their beauty and harmony in Jesus, and we see how God can be just—and yet justify ungodly sinners such as we are; and this draws out and fixes our love upon him.
They love him as a Father—the Father of Jesus, and their Father in him. His paternal love draws out their filial affection, and they love him as the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort and consolation.
They love him for what he has done for them, for what he has said to them, and for what he has prepared for them.
They love him supremely, above and beyond all beside; and even when their comforts are lowest and their temptations strongest, there is still abiding in their hearts a love to his adorable name.
They are "the called according to his purpose." This is God's act toward them. Called, not merely with the outward and general call of the gospel, which is addressed alike to all who hear the word—but with a special effectual call. Jesus calls them as his sheep, and they hear his voice, as he said: "He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice." And again: "Truly, truly, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live." The voice of Jesus is a powerful voice; it awakens the sleepers, it arrests the careless, it raises the dead.
Through the word, as written or preached, the Lord generally calls his people to himself—a secret power attending it, and rendering it effectual.
God calls "according to his purpose." He determined in eternity, and he carries out that determination in time. He drew his plan in the secrets of his own heart, and he works out that plan before all intelligences.
He calls his people "according to his good pleasure, which he has purposed in himself." And all his called ones may say with Paul, speaking of Jesus, "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will." And again: "According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." And this is in order "that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works—but of him who calls."
All events are under God's control and direction.
He works—when only man is seen;
he works all things—when only the laws of nature can be recognized;
he works all things after the counsel of his own will—when everything appears to be left to chance. He controls every element, every mind, every event; he directs every creature, even the sparrow in its flight. The very hairs of our head are all numbered by him. "The way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his steps."
The severest afflictions are for our good. They are blessings, though they may be blessings in disguise.
They are God's fire, by which he purges, purifies, and consumes our dross.
They are his fan, by which he separates the chaff from the wheat. They are his pruning-knife, with which he prunes the fruit-bearing branches, that they may bring forth more fruit.
They are his medicine, by which he brings health to the sick, and preserves the health of those who are strong in the Lord.
Grace as in us, is the effect of grace in God. "Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Grace was given us in Jesus before the world began, and grace was given us through Jesus when we were dead in trespasses and sins; grace provided salvation for us, and grace wrought salvation in us. By grace, and by grace alone, we are saved.
Grace chose us in Christ;
grace gave us to Christ;
grace called us to know Christ;
grace makes us like Christ;
grace will glorify us with Christ.
That which sways our hearts now—influenced God's heart in eternity. We love God, not only because he first loved us—but because he shed abroad his own love in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Calling in time—is the effect of God's purpose in eternity. God does nothing now—but what he eternally purposed and determined to do. His counsels of old—are carried out in present times. He does what he determined beforehand should be done. His purpose being wise, holy, and just, could not fail of being carried out, as it involved his glory, the honour of his Son, and the happiness of his beloved people.
Believers are safe, for everything shall do them good in the end. Safe! yes, for thus it is written, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, says the Lord." Safe! yes, for Jesus has said, "I give unto them eternal life—and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them me, is greater than all; and no one is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand!" Safe! yes, for Paul said, "Being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
All things shall work together for their best. Wants and woes, losses and crosses, doubts and darkness, fears and forebodings, as well as supplies and supports, gifts and graces, confidence and courage, comforts and consolations—shall work for their good. Happy are the people, who are in such a case!
But unconverted sinners are miserable, and are in the greatest danger, for all things work against them. The gospel may be a savour of death unto them. Mercy may harden them. It did so to Pharaoh, even more than judgments. During the plagues he trembled, relented, and called for Moses; but when he saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart and said, "Who is the Lord—that I should obey him!" Kind providences may lead them further from God. They did so to king Saul. When he was a private individual, he was little in his own eyes, and his case was hopeful; but when he became a king, he forgot his duty, rebelled against God, consulted a witch, and perished in his sin!
Oh, how many are hardened by the mercy which should melt them; are filled with pride by the providences that should humble them; and who stumble over the foundation stone God has laid in Zion, to their own destruction! How many now are living illustrations of that solemn truth, "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil!" To how many in this our day is the apostle's words applicable, "The preaching of the cross is to those who perish foolishness!" Reader, how is it with you? I beseech you to inquire, if you have not; examine, if you have not; nor allow anything to satisfy you but love to God, flowing from faith in Christ, which proves that, let what will happen—all shall work together for your good!
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