All Things For God’s Glory and Our Good

Scripture Texts: Romans 8:26-30

We have all been listening to the devastating effects of one of the worst storms to ever hit the US.  The destruction and loss of life are terrible.  This is just the most recent of the countless tragedies that fill our news cycle every day.

I don’t know if you have noticed but these sorts of events turn everyone into theologians.  Someone will post a comment saying our prayers are with you and someone else will hurl back a comment don’t bother, there is no God and He can’t do anything about it.  People question did God cause it or just permit it?  Could He have stopped it?  Or was it Satan’s doing?  Maybe God isn’t good after all or maybe He doesn’t even exist?

Of course, these questions intensify for us when the tragedy is personal, when it hits close to home, our family, our job, our school, our friends.  Where is God, what is He doing, why is He doing it?  Is He an active participant or a passive spectator?  And before long Romans 8:28 will be cited.

This morning, we are going to focus on this one verse which contains one of the most powerful promises in all the Bible.

If the Bible is the greatest book in the world, and if Romans is the greatest book in the Bible and chapter 8 is the greatest chapter in Romans, could verse 28 be the greatest verse in the greatest chapter in the greatest letter in the greatest book?  And Romans 8:28-39 the greatest section?

Someone described it this way.  “If the entire Bible was a necklace, then Romans would be the pendant on that necklace. Romans 8 would be the cluster of diamonds in the middle of the pendant. And verse 28 would be the brightest diamond in the center of the cluster” (James Jackson).

There is a good chance you have a pillow or coffee mug or T-shirt or a wall plaque or refrigerator magnet with Romans 8:28 on it.  But do we understand the depth and power of this promise?