BLESSING IN DISGUISE

by CharlesRobey
(Trussville, AL USA)

"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." (Romans 8:28)

I had a dream, a most unusual dream. I dreamed that I was in this big forest, and what was so unusual was hiding behind each tree were what appeared to be figures taking on a human form. And each one of these characters were draped in black, and wearing a vest with various inscriptions on it; inscriptions such as sickness, heartache, suffering, economy woes, corruption, disruption, storms, disasters, and the like.

As I wandered through this maze of trees, each of these human forms would jump out in an attempt to block my path. But then the strangest thing happened. As I got close to each of the characters, they disrobed, and beneath these black cloaks were robes of white, with each one bearing only one inscription which read "The Glory of God" and bearing the Bible verse Romans 8:28.

It was as if each of the characters were not attempting to usher me through the forest in a hurried time frame, but to see me through at just the exact timing. In order for this to happen, each of these characters had to fulfill his mission by revealing a particular message. In other words, at first though it looked as if each of these characters were giving a message of doom, they were actually working together for my good, as the scripture verse revealed.

Like this unusual dream pointed out, God does cause all things to work together for our good, when we are called according to His purpose. So if we love God and belong to Him, He promises to work out all things in our lives, both good and evil, working together for good. The beautiful and the ugly, the joyous and the sorrowful, the problems and the victories, all are used by God for our good. So if God does work both good and evil out for our good, in the end will there be any bad? No, because both outcomes will ultimately be good.

So for us who love the Lord, we see two additional paradoxes, the blessings and the blessings in disguise. Yes, oftentimes our blessings will be disguised, but they will remain blessings nonetheless.

Just remember, always learn to see and believe through these disguises, as they will come in spite of all we can do within our spiritual lives. Remember too, it may look as if these dark robed characters were against us. However, in the end we will see the real truth, the truth of God's end-run blessings. Our darkest enemies, our greatest adversities were, in the end, our blessings in disguise. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Author's Postscript

Just look around you, America. Is there any order to the seeming chaos of our country and of our lives? And if so, how long does it take for God to turn the evil of America, the evil of our lives, to that of good?

The Apostle Paul answers yes to the above in Romans 8:28. God is at work in all things for our good. And this includes the events happening in our country as well as our lives. This work of His is simply referred to as His sovereignty or His sovereign will. You see, God works in all things to turn them to the good of His own people. So don't give up, America.

However, this introductory scripture has a certain limitation, that being the limitation within those people with whom God works, those who love Him and who have been called by Him.

Unlike many "name it and claim it" modern day doctrines, it is not our health, comfort and wealth, but our godliness which He promises to achieve. In other words, God's purpose is to mold us to be like Jesus Christ. Paul tells us in Romans 8:30 that just as God has predestined us, called us and justified us, He will also glorify us.

And as our introductory scripture explains, nothing can come our way that is not ultimately good for our spiritual health.

God will always be at work in every situation we meet today through His Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:26) So, it is for our good in making us like Jesus Christ. This is most comforting news for us (Romans 8:37), and most frustrating for our enemies. (Romans 8:35) You see, we are conquerors because of God who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

What a wonderful chapter of the Bible, this eighth chapter of Romans! It begins with "There is no condemnation" and ends with "nothing can separate us from the love of God." Amen!