All Things For Good

Michael E. Wood
October 10, 2011

And we know that for those that love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

One of the great promises of God of which His people cling to is found in this verse of Holy Scripture. We love Him because He first loved us and manifests His love to us by the power of the Holy Spirit through the merit of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As He continually works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure to purify unto Himself a people for the praise of His glorious grace, we as finite creatures find ourselves without perfect understanding concerning some of the particulars that He has designed for our good and for His glory.

“To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that ALL things which fall out shall co-operate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over.” Thomas Watson, “All Things For Good”*

All things for good and not disillusion
Our God works together and brings to conclusion
For all He has called and with love that’s sincere
For Him as He is as He holds us so dear
That even our sins and afflictions will prove
That He is our Sovereign and Savior to move
In the midst of our struggles; through Christ He will raise
The infinite glory of His wondrous praise!


Our thanks and our praise will continue to grow
As the fire of His love ever draws us to know
More of His nature by utter dependence
On Him who alone is beyond all transcendence;
Of minds He has gifted beyond all our thought
To show us more clearly by Whom we were bought.


O teach us dear Father what we should then tell
That the praise of Your glory in Jesus may swell
Beyond mortal thoughts and imaginative minds
As the love of Your Spirit continually binds
Our hearts ever near You to leave in the dust
All things that offend and remain of our lust
For earthly attainments; Oh help us eschew,
And discern only that which brings glory to You.

*An extract from the preface of the Puritan Paperback, The Banner Of Truth Trust.