A soft pillow for a tired heart: devotion

The Mount Everest of Romans

Romans chapter 8 verse 28

Romans chapter 8 is the pinnacle of Paul’s epistle to the Romans. At Romans chapter 8 verse 28, we arrived at one of the highest look out points. I consider this as the Mount Everest of Romans. R A Torrey called this verse a soft pillow for a tired heart. God’s providence is very reassuring and comforting.

Apostle Paul says in Romans chapter 8 verse 28,

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

Let us break down this verse into 4 parts

Part 1. And we know

Do you know that you can be absolutely confident about God’s providence for you? Do you know that nothing can separate you from His love. Apostle Paul says in Romans chapter 8 verses 38 to 39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord“.

Part 2. that all things

What things was Paul talking about? Every things! From the most trivial to the most complex. From financial, social, relationship, health, career, hobby, pain, fear, worry, uncertainty, insomnia, hardship, bereavement, persecution, sickness, and so on.

Part 3. work together for good

God works all things together for what? For good! God comprehensively, coherently and synergistically work through all of your life’s events to bring about a good final outcome and closure for you. You may not see it at that moment in time but you will see it in retrospect many years later. The Patriarch Joseph told his brothers in Genesis chapter 50 verse 20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives“. God has a plan for you. He makes things happen for you.

Part 4. to those who love God and are called according to His purpose

Do you love God? Are you called according to His purpose? If your answers are yes, this promise is for you to claim. Romans chapter 8 verse 28 is a conditional promise reserved only for the Christians.

Application

Hey, what are you worried about? God has a plan to give you a hope and a future. Surrender everything to God and let Him be at the center of your life. If God created the whole universe for you and gave His life for you, He deserves to be at the center of your life.

Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future“.

The message paraphrase of Isaiah chapter 49 verse 16, says, “Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the confidence we have that You work all things together for good to bring about a good outcome for us. Help us to surrender our lives to You and make You the centre of our lives today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.