Words for the Week of July 25

Monday

We know that in all things God is working for good to those who love Him, to those called according to His purpose.
(Romans 8:28)

Lord Jesus:

I just realized that when I quote this Scripture I omit the first two words: I just jump right into "all things working together." Forgive me for detracting anything from your Holy Word or adding anything to it.

We do not know how to pray as we should, but of this we may know and be assured -- that you are at work in and around us working out God's providential grace, regardless of our circumstance.

I forget sometimes "We know" doesn't mean everybody; this knowledge comes only from your special revelation. The world doesn't know, although it pretends to a superior insight which excludes your Word and produces in us only anxiety, fear, and doubt for which some advertiser wants to sell us a remedy.

Thank you, Jesus, that you have not called us to a blind faith, but a knowledgeable trust based on the authority of your infallible Word and the experience of so many witnesses to your sufficiency down through the ages.

As we face the trials and suffering of life, remind us of what we know. We know you are not the author of evil. We know you died in our place and rose from the dead. We know on the best evidence that you are answering prayer, speaking order into chaos, delivering from illness, recovering justice, and bringing to glory all those who truly love you and are called according to your purpose. Amen.

Tuesday

We know that in all things God is working for good to those who love Him, to those called according to His purpose.

(Romans 8:28)

Heavenly Father:

Once again I've memorized an inadequate and misleading translation of your Word. It's not that "all things work together for good" because they don't. All things fall apart and are subject to Murphy's Law. Things don't work themselves out and not everything is going to be painless and problem-free for me or those I love. We may not live to see your good prevail in this life, but we know your good shall always prevail and that absolutely nothing can separate us from your love and purpose.. The world prays for happy endings even as the dark clouds of apocalypse gather. Only you, O Lord, can pull together the disparate debris of Satan's dominion and weave the tapestry of goodness. We thank you that we can know that nothing is wasted in the redemption of this world and the people you have chosen to belong to Earth's true King, and in his name we pray, Amen.

Wednesday

We know that in all things God is working for good to those who love Him, to those called according to His purpose.

(Romans 8:28)

Heavenly Father:

Thank you that are working all things for good to them that agape - love you and are called by you for your purpose. As I reflect on this familiar verse I understand that my definition of good is all wrapped up in my understanding of love, and that what I really love is demonstrated by the scope of my caring.

If my loving is self-centered then I will only perceive good as that which benefits me. If my love reaches reaches primarily to family and some friends, then I will perceive as good primarily those things that help us. But this is agape love, self-sacrificing love, the love of Jesus, no greater love is there than that a man would lay down his life for his friends. This love broadens my vista of what you count as truly good to include what is best for all those for whom Jesus died.

Inspire us to sacrifice ourselves for the benefit of another. May we learn to subsume our personal rights to Kingdom priorities.. I can only agape as your Spirit eclipses my self- and tribe-centeredness and conforms my will to your purpose, shown in Christ Jesus, Amen.

Friday

We know that in all things God is working for good to those who love Him, to those called according to His purpose.

(Romans 8:28)

Heavenly Father:

Your purpose is veiled to those not called.

Your love is hated by those enchanted by the World and its Deceiver.

The Old Covenant declared,

Your ways are not our ways;

Your thoughts are not our thoughts.

But in Christ you opened Heaven's door and give us the Holy Spirit

to know the mind of Christ and do your will.

Thank you for revealing your purpose:

to make us in all things like your Son;

to cut away all encumbering sins that we may soar to Heaven's love.

Amen.