Have you ever doubted Romans 8:28?
I try to always lean on the truth and power of the Word of God, but I cannot honestly say that I have never doubted. Sometimes, we go through hard times, which can come in all different forms. The Lord wants us to never doubt His Word, but most of us would probably admit there have been times of doubt in our lives.
It was John the Baptist who first publicly declared that the Lord Jesus was the Lamb of God. We read in John 1:29-30, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.” What a powerful testimony and announcement of Christ. Yet, when John was later cast into prison, he seemed to go through a period of doubt. Let’s read Matthew 11:1-5, “And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Because of circumstances that John did not anticipate, he went through a momentary time of doubt. Notice how the Lord reacted to John’s question. He showed proof of who He was with the miracles He performed and the Gospel message He preached. Yes, the Lord acted to remove John’s doubt.
Now let’s read Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” What a tremendous acknowledgement to us that the Lord is in complete control and He will cause all things to work out for good to them that love Him and are called according to God’s purpose.
Evidently, this was a well-known truth, because Paul begins with the words, “AND WE KNOW…” This was understood by the believers that all our afflictions and trials; all the persecutions and disasters we are called upon to endure, though they are many and long continued, yet they are among the means that are appointed for our welfare. ALL THINGS work together for good! These incidents tend to take away our affections from this world; they teach us the truth about our frail and weak condition; they lead us to look to God for support. Indeed, knowing this, we can heartily agree with James when he wrote, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2-3).
Although our circumstances may tempt us to doubt the promises of God, the Lord would have us to remain firm in our faith and not let our circumstances rob us of our faith and enjoyment of the Lord’s things. Consider the words of Paul in Romans 5:3-5, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” It is faith that will allow us to see beyond our hardships and realize that the Lord WILL cause all things to work together for us who love Him.
Faith is taking God at His Word and believing Him even when our situations urge us to doubt Him. We need faith in Christ to be saved, and we need faith in Christ to lead a successful Christian life. Four times in the Bible, we are reminded that “the just shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:28). The Lord is constantly reminding us that we need to live by faith in Him and that He WILL ALWAYS do what He has promised. “And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” (Romans 4:21).
Are you being led to doubt God’s promises? Do you feel that good cannot possibly come out of your situation? Let us take fast hold of the truth of God’s Word. We read in 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” With faith and dependence on the Lord, may we all learn to go forth “doubting nothing.” (Acts 10:20). (CC) (630.2)