Counting it all Joy

Are “all things” good? Or, do “all things work together for good” in the life of the person who is truly seeking after the Lord? What does the Bible, God’s Message to us, reveal?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29

Notice that this Romans 8 text doesn’t say that all things are good, but that “all things work together for good.”

It is more than obvious that all the things that come our way are not coming from the LORD, who ^“cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” (James 1:13). Though there are things Satan, ourselves, and evil men bring into our lives, the LORD allows those things and helps us “escape” (1 Cor. 10:13; Job 1-2). It is clear that the Almighty cannot be tempted with evil (James 1:13) and that “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).

Furthermore, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

In “all things” that come our way the LORD is working to form the Person of Jesus Christ in us as we have been predestined to be conformed to.

At this time you may be entangled with trials and tribulations from seemingly every angle – coming at you relentlessly. Are you experiencing emotional, relational, financial, marital, work-related difficulties?

^“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4

When we begin to see the blessed change He uses our trial to bring, it will be easier and easier to “count it all joy” when our faith is tried/tested and made stronger as we patiently endure beholding His face more intensely (2 Corinthians 3:18).

His predestined purpose for creating and redeeming us to Himself is to conform our lives to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

^“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Psalms 17:15

As we choose to behold His perfect face in righteousness, we shall be satisfied and made into His likeness – here and now and in eternity with new glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).

His “likeness” or “image” in us is His ultimate goal. That’s right – the purpose for our lives is not to live unto ourselves or be detached from the LORD’s purpose in any of the things that set themselves before us to tempt us to set our affection upon and identify with. Our identity is in the Person and Gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ and for His pleasure we were created (Revelation 4:11).

^“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

Saint, remember that your current season will change. This trial you now endure shall come to pass. In all this that you may be suffering, please prayerfully remember that ALL these things are working together for the glory of God in your life. He is using them to cause your heart to be conformed to the image of Christ as you seek His face, totally relying upon Him in these tests.

One of the temptations of the trial is to turn on God and blame Him. Have you ever done such? I have. Remember, the LORD is for you. He loves you more than you could know.

“In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job 1:22 

GOD’S TESTIMONY OF JOB:

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.” Job 2:3

“But he (Job) said unto her (his wife), Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” Job 2:10 

You ARE going to pass your test as you stay upon the LORD in the trial! See Isaiah 50:10. You are going to come out a different person, more like JESUS, the One you have been predestined to be conformed to! You are going to be alright, as Job was alright after untold misery over a several month period. This season is only for a short time. You are going to be “kept” by the power of God, so “rejoice” in this “season” of “trial” and “trying” as you pass your tests and continue to pursue the One “whom having not seen, ye love”:

“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:5-9

Remember that all “seasons” come – to pass. Remember that Job was more blessed in the end than before the devastating trials came his way.

Job 42:10 “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

In this theme text (Romans 8:28-29), is our Heavenly Father telling us that all those things that are coming our way are being used to conform our lives to the image of JESUS?

Has anyone out there been attacked lately by people within the Body of Christ? This does happen and will increase as the day of Christ draws closer (Matthew 24:10-13). I’m talking about a clear and blatant attack on your person or character. Can anybody relate?

Take heart in the LORD beloved:

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while (not forever), make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10

According to 1 Peter 5:10, in your suffering, the LORD is:

1. perfecting you
2. establishing you
3. strengthening you
4. settling you

God’s Love Is Going To Heal Your Wounds (Psalms 147:3; Luke 4:18). Ask Him and you will receive.

Here are the divinely-given instructions (marching orders) and exhortation:

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.” Jude 20-25

Perhaps nothing flies in Satan’s face as powerfully as the witness of God’s saints when they are in a trial. In light of this, how powerful it is to give the devil a black eye by serving others during our trials and letting His goodness be known! I believe the enemy profusely frowns when we encourage Christians, hand out Gospel tracts, feed the poor, cloth the naked, and build up the Body of Christ – right in the midst of our own personal trial. Why throw a pity party when we can throw a praise party? – “Count it all joy!” (James 1:2-4).

May God Grant Us All Grace to Fight the Good Fight of Faith – We are Overcomers through Jesus Christ!

If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here: Born Again: What Does that Mean?

PEACE with GOD

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Top 12 Missing Essential Doctrines in the Modern Church World! [podcast] | Repentance and Fruit | Loving not our Lives unto the Death [podcast]

Continuing in Grace and Faith [podcast]

The Only Begotten Son of God [podcast]