Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - ALL THINGS

ALL THINGS

There are a few verses in the Bible that are often used, and sometimes misunderstood. In Romans we are told that:

…all things work together for good to those that love God, 

to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

(Romans 8:28) 

And in Psalms the statement reads:

 

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. 

(Psalm 150:6)

Further more, in Ephesians the message is to:

 

[give] thanks always for all things to God the Father 

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

(Ephesians 5:20)

Finally, in James, he writes:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above… 

(James 1:17)

Now if one looks at these statements as they appear, it seems that we should give praise and be thankful for everything that besets us because don’t all things work for good to those who love God? But does it always seem to be that way in real life? Should we be thankful for disease and tragedies, for natural disasters and wars, and other such events that take place on this planet?

However, if the statements are looked at carefully, it would seem that what we sometimes think may not actually be the case. In the second statement, Psalm 150:6, it does state that everything that can should praise the Lord, but it does not say all the time or in all circumstances. And while it also says in James that all good and perfect gifts come from above, gifts of a different nature may come from elsewhere, and although in the end all may work out, it may only be to those who truly know God. And even then only by prayer; a prayer that most of us do not really know how to do. After all:

…the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses…

[and] makes intercession for us… 

…according to the will of God.

(Romans 8:26-27)

It’s important to understand that although:

The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness… 

(Psalm 24:1)

Satan is really in charge at the present time. He emphasized this when he showed Christ all the kingdoms of the world and said:

“All these things I will give to You if You will fall down and worship me.” 

(Matthew 4:9)

So therefore, we should recognize that all good and perfect things come from God but not everything in total. We should give thanks always for what God has given us but not for what has come from elsewhere. We should praise Him frequently for everyday He blesses us. And we should continue to give Him thanks for all things, even those which do not come from Him, for He helps us get through those events and adversities and may even use them to our eventual benefit, even though such may not be evident at first. Only then may it become evident how all things can work together for good to them that love the Lord.

And in that there are a few things to think about.