A Backwards Future Statement

A Backwards Future Statement

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose. 

This is a backwards future statement.  Paul only has knowledge of the past for only God knows the future.  So Paul reflects on his past.  He has just written that we are to share in the sufferings of Jesus.  Paul can recount a lot of physical pain that he has endured for the cause of Christ.  He was beaten, stoned, imprisoned, thirsty, and later shipwrecked.  He was disowned by his fellow Jews because of his devotion to the mission of Christ.  Paul was familiar with pain.

Yet in all of the bad and good events of his past, Paul could see the thread of God’s plan for his life.  Not all events were good.  Many of these things that happened to Paul were bad.  There may have been a temptation to quit, give up.  But Paul did not give up.  He drew strength from his backward glance at his life.  God moved Paul in so many ways.

For instance, persecution in Thessalonica forced Paul to have to abandon his ministry in that place.  Some were saved and a church was started.  But he was forcibly removed by Jews that disagreed with his teaching about Jesus.  He then went to Berea where others believed.  The persecution was not good.  But it gave way to others hearing about Jesus and believing.

The bad things in our past that have happened are not good things.  Loss of a home in a fire, death of a child, fired from a job, broken marriage.  How could God bring anything good from these horrific events?  Yet HE does.  A man remarries and has a major impact on his stepchildren’s life.  A new job is obtained that leverages the gifts that were dormant.  A ministry comes forth to comfort others who have mourned the loss of a family member.  God has the ability to orchestrate both good and negative events to fulfill his purpose in our lives.

This backward look allows Paul to focus his faith in the future.  Paul can say that God was faithful to him in the past, so he is ready to trust God completely for his future.

Father, some things in our lives will not make sense until we get to heaven.  But you are worthy of our trust.  We know that you always have our best interest in mind.  You are a good, good Father.  We trust you with our future.