CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 961

“Theory or Fact”

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Romans 8:28 is probably the best known promise of God. The question for each of us is whether this knowledge is merely ‘head knowledge’ or ‘heart knowledge’. Is it an interesting theory or is it fact? Let’s unpack this powerful promise of God.

Have you ever been so certain in your knowledge of something that you know that you know and despite all indicators to the contrary, you have remained steadfast in that knowledge? My wife has this level of certainty about things. All the tangible evidence and empirical data that I gather contradicts her knowledge, yet she remains steadfast – and she is almost always right. This is that level of steadfast knowledge indicated by the preface to this Scripture verse: And we know…

This is more than mere head knowledge. We can commit this verse to memory and be able to recite it from multiple translations and in other languages, but it remains as powerless head knowledge if we waver and faint in the face of difficult circumstances.

If we panic in fear and look to others or to our own abilities first instead of seeking God in faith and trust in His promise we do not have the heart knowledge of His Word of Truth. It has remained a disproven theorem and it is not yet fact for us. Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! (Isaiah 31:1)

Living out the promise of Romans 8:28 means always abiding in the presence of our Lord – before us and at our right hand. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

The promise is specific to a certain people: …for those who love God…for those who are called according to his purpose. If we love God we will obey His commandments and love others as ourselves. And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40) See also 1 John 5:3 and 1 John 4:20

God’s call on our lives sometimes directs us into circumstances out of our comfort zone. At times His call brings us into protracted and very difficult and trying situations. Head knowledge of His promise that …all things work together for good… fails us here and our faith, trust and hope are shaken if not lost.

I encourage you to journal your prayers and to go back and review the past entries.  You will see how God has worked all things for your good and your faith will be strengthened. Hear the testimonies of others in the Body of Christ regarding how the Lord has worked all things for their good and further move your knowledge of His promise from your head to your heart so that you too will know that you know beyond a doubt that God works all things – All things – for your good.