DEVOTION – DAY 33

Romans 8:28 – “God works for the good”

 

Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

The damage that Covid-19 pandemic is causing to the economy of many nations is great. Many jobs have been lost and airlines have been brought to the point of collapse. Lives have been lost. The virus had killed the rich and famous, the poor and common people. Some have called Covid-19 an act of God. Others have said it is God’s Will to allow the virus to spread causing mankind to stop in its tracks and to realize how much they need God. Some even said that God sent Covid-19 to judge China for persecuting the Church and Christians there. Perhaps you have also had similar thoughts.

In the Bible, some plagues are the clear Will of God. Examples would include the plagues God sent on Egypt during the time of Moses. But we must be cautious in thinking that Covid-19 is also God’s Will because the Bible is silent when it comes to Covid-19. Covid-19 has brought much suffering and hardship across many nations. To think that God sent Covid-19 would be the same as thinking God delights in the suffering of His people. And that God is to be blamed for the financial suffering arising from Covid-19. In the Bible, human beings and fallen angels are the ones blamed for evil, sin and suffering. The Bible never blames God for that. Neither should we.

But what we can say is that God can turn what is evil for good for His people and for His glory. That is the basis of Romans 8:28. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people are coming to an end in themselves. Many are lost and helpless and God is using that to draw people to Himself as people repent and cry out to Him. And God is using His Church to show His love to the needy as churches distribute food parcels to the poor and needy, to give basic groceries to families who had lost their sole source of income and so on. You too can be used by God to turn what is evil for good for His people. You can give towards our church’s Charity fund so that our church can help many families in need. You can call someone you know who may have lost his or her job and offer to pray for him or her. You could offer to buy some groceries for your neighbor and in the process get to know them better as a way to later share the gospel with them. In so doing, God will work for the good of those who love Him and who have been called according to His purposes.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we love and trust you. We know that in all things, including the current pandemic situation, you will work for good for your people. Help us to fall in with your plans for us and to give you all the glory. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What is your natural reaction to bad things happening in this world and do you ask God why?
  2. What good do you see coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic?
  3. How do you see God using the Covid-19 pandemic for the good of His people and for His glory?
  4. What role can you play in working for the good of others during this period?