Your take on Romans 8:28—“all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (KJV)—rings true and lifts the soul. As a Messianic believer in Yeshua, I see it as a promise echoing God’s covenant with Israel (Deut. 7:6-9), fulfilled in Messiah’s love (2 Cor. 1:20). You’re spot-on that “good” isn’t always instant—Joseph’s slavery (Gen. 50:20) and Yeshua’s cross (Isa. 53) prove God weaves redemption through pain. Peter and Paul trusted this, dying for a purpose bigger than themselves.
I love your call to pray for understanding God’s good, like Yeshua did (Luke 22:42). But here’s a thought: if loving God and being called are key, doesn’t that invite our response, not just His decree? Scripture says, “Choose this day whom ye will serve” (Josh. 24:15). Maybe God’s sovereignty dances with our “yes” to Him—something to ponder as we rest in His Messianic hope.
Yes, Joseph's slavery and incarceration is a great example of both delayed blessings and much larger blessings for not just Joseph but the whole tribe of Israel and even the Egyptians. Gen 50:20: "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
You asked, "But here’s a thought: if loving God and being called are key, doesn’t that invite our response, not just His decree?"
Absolutely! God needs to call us and we need to seek him. He says, "I love you and I want you in the Kingdom. Will you obey me?" and we still need to reply, "YES, Lord!"
AMEN!!!! Paul wrote something which the Holy Spirit has planted upon the tablets of my heart:
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Which supports the Lord stating: Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
And in Acts we find the Apostles stating: Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
So when the Holy Spirit starts His work of Sanctifying our lives from besetting sins, hidden idols, love of pleasures, from ALL things which do not Glorify our Lord, nor is acceptable by the Lord, we will have much tribulation in our flesh, because the Flesh must die, so that the Spirit of Christ grows within.
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.
Oh my yes, David. This resonates with me. My Daddy taught me Roman’s 8:28 and that promise has gotten me through many times of anguish in my life. And I know it will again. In God’s perfect timing. 🥰. Thank you and God bless.
There is a translation issue with Rom. 8:28, but I think it has more effect on what people tend to read into the verse than anything else. As always, the verse has to be read in context, and what a context!
The issue can be seen from noting that the prior verses are about what God the Spirit does, and this verse appears to shift to writing about what "all things" do. That is peculiar, because in general "things" don't do anything of their own -- God brings it about.
I looked at the Greek here quite some time ago and threw up my hands. It's not simple to translate. That's Paul for you, sometimes. The NASB and NIV attempt to clarify. Here is the NASB version:
Rom. 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
The root of the Greek verb for "work together", by the way, is also the root of our English noun "synergy". It appears to me to literally mean "together work".
Your take on Romans 8:28—“all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (KJV)—rings true and lifts the soul. As a Messianic believer in Yeshua, I see it as a promise echoing God’s covenant with Israel (Deut. 7:6-9), fulfilled in Messiah’s love (2 Cor. 1:20). You’re spot-on that “good” isn’t always instant—Joseph’s slavery (Gen. 50:20) and Yeshua’s cross (Isa. 53) prove God weaves redemption through pain. Peter and Paul trusted this, dying for a purpose bigger than themselves.
I love your call to pray for understanding God’s good, like Yeshua did (Luke 22:42). But here’s a thought: if loving God and being called are key, doesn’t that invite our response, not just His decree? Scripture says, “Choose this day whom ye will serve” (Josh. 24:15). Maybe God’s sovereignty dances with our “yes” to Him—something to ponder as we rest in His Messianic hope.
Shalom and blessings
Thank you for your kind words. Shalom!
Yes, Joseph's slavery and incarceration is a great example of both delayed blessings and much larger blessings for not just Joseph but the whole tribe of Israel and even the Egyptians. Gen 50:20: "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
You asked, "But here’s a thought: if loving God and being called are key, doesn’t that invite our response, not just His decree?"
Absolutely! God needs to call us and we need to seek him. He says, "I love you and I want you in the Kingdom. Will you obey me?" and we still need to reply, "YES, Lord!"
Amen!!!!
AMEN!!!
AMEN!!
AMEN!!!! Paul wrote something which the Holy Spirit has planted upon the tablets of my heart:
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Which supports the Lord stating: Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
And in Acts we find the Apostles stating: Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
So when the Holy Spirit starts His work of Sanctifying our lives from besetting sins, hidden idols, love of pleasures, from ALL things which do not Glorify our Lord, nor is acceptable by the Lord, we will have much tribulation in our flesh, because the Flesh must die, so that the Spirit of Christ grows within.
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Lord bless you.....
As illustrated by Gen. 50:19-20 (NET)
But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.
Exactly. I’m actually working on another post on just this story.
Sorry, I hope I didn’t spoil it. Gen. 50:19-20 is one of my survival passages. And I frequently use the idea in prayers for this world.
Not at all. Scream it loud.
Well said…
Oh my yes, David. This resonates with me. My Daddy taught me Roman’s 8:28 and that promise has gotten me through many times of anguish in my life. And I know it will again. In God’s perfect timing. 🥰. Thank you and God bless.
I’m glad it resonated. In his perfect timing, indeed.
Amen 🙏🏼 This is a wonderful message and I needed it. Thank you.
I’m so glad it spoke to you. BTW, I’m enjoying Still in the Storm.
Yes.
There is a translation issue with Rom. 8:28, but I think it has more effect on what people tend to read into the verse than anything else. As always, the verse has to be read in context, and what a context!
The issue can be seen from noting that the prior verses are about what God the Spirit does, and this verse appears to shift to writing about what "all things" do. That is peculiar, because in general "things" don't do anything of their own -- God brings it about.
I looked at the Greek here quite some time ago and threw up my hands. It's not simple to translate. That's Paul for you, sometimes. The NASB and NIV attempt to clarify. Here is the NASB version:
Rom. 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
The root of the Greek verb for "work together", by the way, is also the root of our English noun "synergy". It appears to me to literally mean "together work".