Finding the strength to run...

Heaven is the prize – our rest after a long, hard race.

But our first and most inspirational reason for running this race is God’s call on our lives. And the hope of our inheritance is based upon his promise.

Romans 8:28 is a verse oft-quoted – very well known among Christian communities of various denominations. A common encouragement found on the lips of counselors and teachers, parents and friends: “Don’t worry. Remember, ‘we know that God works all things for the good of those who love him.”

Although the heart here is good – to encourage and give hope to those facing suffering and trial, sorrow and pain – I think two adjustments must be made to this type of counsel. Both have to do with misinterpretation and misuse.

First, this verse is not only often used, but misquoted. We hear “God works all things for the good of those who love him” rather than “IN all things, God works for the good…” etc. This is an important distinction, the implications of which are seen in the other, even more common misuse of the verse...

A fundamental principle of Scripture comes into play here – in order to effectively understand God’s will for our lives, we do not take bits and pieces of the Word and apply them – we use the principle of “systematic theology” – according to Grudem, systematic theology is any study that answers the question, `What does the whole Bible teach us today?' about any given topic

So many people (myself included) tend to think, when facing difficulty, “well, one day, maybe soon (or maybe in heaven), I’ll be able to look back and see that this situation, as bad as it may seem, eventually worked out okay… so I can bear this burden for a time and keep pressing on – knowing it’ll all be fine, since God promises to work it all out for my good.”

What is wrong with this mentality? Well, first off, as previously mentioned – God is not only working the situation for my good, but IN the situation for my good.

How is that possible, and what does it imply? Again, a fundamental truth of scripture applies.

What was I made for?
To bring God glory and enjoy him forever.

Hmmm - okay, and now, as Christians – we know that in order to accomplish this purpose, God has placed us in each situation because THAT is where we can BEST enjoy and glorify him.

[note: this is a helpful reminder... saying to yourself “if God wanted me somewhere else, he would have me there. Since he does not, I can assume that he has placed me where I can best glorify him and find joy in doing so. Let me not miss this opportunity by desiring what my Father does not want for me!”]

Back to Romans 8:28. If you want to accurately grasp what the verse is saying, read the whole passage, or the whole bible, of course – but even reading JUST the beginning of the next verse can radically alter your perspective:

“And we know that IN all things, God works for the good of those who love him, and who have been called according to HIS purpose. For those God foreknew, he also predestined TO BE CONFORMED TO THE LIKENESS OF HIS SON.”

HEREIN lies the life-changing truth. Our GREATEST good and hope do NOT lie in peace and joy found at the END of a difficult road, but actually UPON it – because our goal is not satisfaction and contentment in looking BACK, but in being conformed to the likeness of Christ in the MIDST of trial!

Trials are NOT detours from God’s plan, nor even the devil’s tool to lure us into grief and despair. Yes, those are temptations – but trials are God’s tools to bring about our greatest good - they are a PART of the very same road!

To see God is the promised goal of all our actions and the promised height of all our joys. AUGUSTINE

"Fiery trials make golden Christians"
C.H. Spurgeon

James 1:2-4 makes SO much more sense when we contemplate it in light of the truth of Romans 8:28-29.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete – not lacking in anything!”

I have never been so grateful for my Savior, for the assurance of my salvation, for my knowledge of God as my loving and sovereign Father, than when I am in trial!

Truth is never more precious, grace is never more beautiful, peace never passes understanding to such a degree, as when I am crying out to God for help in time of need!

There IS pure joy there! Because trial is accomplishing my greatest good and JOY – being refined and made more like my wonderful Savior!

Sinclair Furgeson states that “Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves", and Spurgeon states that "Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of; they just turn up some of the ill weeds on to the surface."

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." - Romans 5:1-5

Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
however dark it be!
Lead me by Thine own hand,
choose out the path for me.

Smooth let it be or rough,
it still will be the best;
winding, or straight, it leads
right onward to Thy rest.

I dare not choose my lot;
I would not if I might;
choose Thou for me, my God
so I shall walk aright.

The kingdom that I seek
is Thine, so let the way
that leads to it be Thine,
else I must surely stray.

Take Thou my cup and it
with joy or sorrow fill
as best to Thee may seem;
choose Thou my good and ill.

Choose Thou for me my friends
my sickness or my health;
choose Thou my cares for me,
my poverty or wealth.

Subdue my heart's affections
accord it with Thy will
let truth inform and guide
my every step until

Not mine, not mine the choice,
in things so great or small;
be Thou my Guide, my Strength,
my Wisdom, and my All.

King and Friend, my Savior,
good, when all else fails,
Thy blood, a ransom for me,
demands

truest obedience,
unswerving trust,
boundless love,
persistent faith,
and a life
that mirrors Thy endless grace
with purpose,
hope,
and joy.

So keep running! It takes the falls, breaks, sore muscles, sprains and bruises to make us appreciate the refreshing nourishment of the Word, and to develop the strength to finish well.