The God Who Stops At Nothing For Your Good- May/June 2018

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

Sometimes (often) one runs out of ideas and material for the church Newsletter, hence the bit of a lapse since the publication of the April edition of the Newsletter. The obvious thought that has come to mind is to share some photographs and reflections from Marvin’s and my recent trip to Ireland. The following pictures from the north coast of Northern Ireland show White Park Bay –one of the most beautiful places in the world, and my favorite place from childhood. (I grew up within nine miles from this scene. So, of course, I am not in the least biased?)

However, more and more, trips to Ireland remind me of God’s loving kindness and faithfulness in both the little and big events of our lives. That is the reason for my heading. It is actually the title of a sermon preached by my nephew a number of years ago. My nephew Mark is a person who takes great delight in pointing out God’s kindly providences. He calls them “God’s delightful providences.” He begins the particular sermon mentioned by asking: “Has God done anything for you that in the big scheme of things is utterly inconsequential, but puts a smile on your face?”

In thinking of our trip to Ireland, I am impressed and overwhelmed by God’s “delightful providences” that worked out circumstances which enabled us to fellowship with a great many people whose schedules and our time-frame for being with them, would have been difficult to coordinate, but which God graciously “allowed to happen,” and which brought gladness to our hearts and smiles to our faces.

This thought has been with me this past week as circumstances related to our family have, by God’s gracious providence, worked out happily and smoothly. We trust Him regarding the “big” things, and continually rejoice in these small joys which he bestows on us!! As the verse from Romans 8 says, “He that did not spare his own Son…how will he not also along with him graciously give us all things?”

However, the major point of Mark’s sermon wasn’t necessarily these delightful providences, but that suffering is inevitable for the Christian, and that “God will stop at nothing for our good.” The familiar words of Romans 8:28 say: “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.” These words, he suggests, are often misinterpreted to mean that God will take our difficult circumstances and work them for good in our lives. He emphasizes, rather, that everything that happens is sent by God for the good of those who love him. It is not a case of God saying: “Oh, they’re having difficulties, I will bring good out of it.” Rather, God has brought us these circumstances for our ultimate best - to provide the greatest possible good, as He conforms “us to the likeness of his Son." For that is His purpose, and the “good” that he seeks for us.

How do we know this? The proof is in the past - God’s “track record” is “He...spared not his Son.” The promise is for the present and future, the Christian has nothing to fear for the throughout his life - nothing is going to separate him from Christ. The purpose is for us to become like his Son – to be “conformed to the image of his Son.”

God will stop at nothing for your good. Let nothing stop you from believing this: Look at life through the lens of Scripture. Let God define the “all things." Look to the cross - be reminded that before God asked you to bear any pain he bore greater pain  himself.

Put on one end of the scale – the “smallest inconsequential thing” that God has done for you, and at the other end the greatest, most significant thing he has done - he gave his Son. And realize, that He will do everything in between!! He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also along with him, graciously give us all things?”

(For this, or other sermons by Rev. Mark Loughridge  go to the www –New Life Fellowship, Letterkenny, Ireland. Click on Sermons – this particular sermon which I have summarized can be found in Mark’s  “Romans” series.)

*ADAPTED FROM OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER. FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING OUR NEWLETTER, PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR, DOROTHY ACHILLES, AT MDACHILLES@FRONTIERNET.NET