We have all been made to ponder that question as we have gone through the ups and downs of life. What is God doing? One thing we know is that He is working all things together for our good. That’s His promise to us.
Romans 8:28 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Many times, people have tried to explain that promise away. Whenever they do, they take away from the power of the promise. Yes, no matter what you are facing in life – the good, the bad, the ugly – God is working all things together for our good. But don’t miss the context because therein lies the good that He is working as we understand His purpose.
Romans 8:28–29 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
It’s called sanctification, where God by His grace is making us increasingly like the Lord Jesus Christ in our character and we all know we have some rough edges that need work. As the Holy Spirit takes real life experiences along with the word of God, He works whatever situation we are in for our good as He changes us. Just so we don’t lose sight of the big picture, God allows us to see all that is taking place in addition to our sanctification so we can know He is for us no matter what we face.
Romans 8:30–31 (ESV) — 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
God’s work that began on our behalf before the world was formed, will continue until He brings us to our eternal home as Jesus returns for His bride. In that great event, we are reminded that we shall be changed and be like the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 John 3:1–2 (ESV) — 1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
Philippians 3:20–21 (ESV) — 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
1 Corinthians 15:49–52 (ESV) — 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
What is God doing? He is preparing us for that one last change when He either raises our bodies from the grave or if we are alive, calls us up to be with Him. Nevertheless, we shall be changed and rather quickly – in the twinkling of an eye.
I was recently asked about that scene and how God would be able to do that so quickly. I know it’s mind boggling to think about, and rather impossible to wrap our minds around such an event, but let’s reason things out.
God reminded Job, and anyone else who thinks they have things figured out, that He (God) made the earth out of nothing.
Job 38:1–7 (ESV) — 1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
If God created the heavens and earth simply by speaking the words, then He will have no problem reassembling molecules of everyone that has ever lived or ever been conceived and raise them up. Some to the resurrection of life and some to the resurrection of judgment and damnation, but all will be raised.
John 5:28–29 (ESV) — 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ are those for whom God has directed all things to work together for their good as He takes them through one experience after another of conforming their character to that of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have experienced this, then know that God does that for His children and you can rest assured that He will not give up on you as He has promised.
Philippians 1:6 (ESV) — 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
This is what gives us hope of His final work in raising us from the dead and giving us an eternal body that will never die or even age for eternity. What is God doing? He is preparing you for the great day of the Lord Jesus Christ, so be thankful He is working in your life.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
