“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
—Psalm 46:10, NKJV

You’re probably familiar with Romans 8:28, where the Lord says He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called

according to His purpose. Oftentimes we interpret that verse to mean that no matter what happens in life, God is going to use it for good. And that is absolutely true. But I want to draw your attention to the very next verse, Romans 8:29, because it reveals what God’s purpose is— that we would be “conformed to the image of His Son” (NKJV).

Everything that you and I go through in life is going to be used by Father God to conform us to the image of His Son. What does that look like in our everyday lives? Let’s say I am seventy-five years old, and because I’m old, I lose a tooth. Should I think, “This is going to

work together for my good; I may even grow a brand-new tooth”?

Some people apply that verse that way. They think that no matter what happens, they’re going to experience something better or somehow their circumstance will supernaturally improve. But that isn’t exactly what Paul is saying. Paul is saying that God is going to use everything you go through in life for good by using everything to conform you to the image of Jesus and fulfill His purpose in your life.

Please keep in mind that God’s ways are above our ways, even “as the heavens are higher than the earth” (Isa. 55:9, NKJV). And not only are His ways higher; His purpose for you and me is greater than the purpose we have for ourselves. His purpose is to conform us to the image of Jesus, which is why nothing we go through in life will ever be wasted.

Father God, I thank You that all things work together for my good and that You are using everything I go through to bring about Your purpose for my life, which is to conform me to the image of Your Son. Have Your way in my life today.

Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider, Rivers of Revelation (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2020), Used by permission.