Can They Be Used For Good?

When I reflect on the statement, “Does God work in all things?” a scripture comes to mind: Romans 8:28.

The passage states:

27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

29 For those whom God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

From this scripture, we understand that everything that happens in our lives as Christians is ultimately for our good, as God will work it all together. We acknowledge that deaths in the family, horrible accidents, and other tragedies can be devastating and heartbreaking. While these storms may not pass easily in our lives, we must remember that God is still in charge. He may not be responsible for the tragedy, but He can still bring good out of it.

Would you agree that you want what’s best for you in your life? I believe you would say yes! After all, who wouldn’t want that? Here lies the challenge we face in life: we have control and free will.

Proverbs 16:9 states, “A man’s heart plans his steps, but the Lord determines his path.”

 We are free to make plans and take actions; we are not robots, and God is not a dictator. He grants us the freedom to act as we please. However, our decisions often come with consequences. If we dance too close to the fire, we may get burned. If we skate on the edge of a cliff, we might slip off. Although these outcomes may not be what God intended, they can serve as wake-up calls, and He can still work everything for our good.

So, while we have the freedom to act, we should seek God’s guidance to ensure that our choices align with His will.

Storms can come in many forms, such as loss of a job, financial hardship, debt, marital problems, car trouble, or issues with our children—the list can feel endless. Ultimately, it comes down to whether we trust the Lord to steer and guide us through these storms. Many storms are self-induced, and regardless of their source, they often reflect a spiritual battle. There is nothing the Lord cannot fix or help us navigate because, ultimately, He is in control. All we need to do is recognize this and seek His help.

I’d like to share a story from the Bible about a storm that weighed heavily on one individual. This account comes from 2 Kings 6. The king of Aram was at war with Israel, but Israel had Elisha, who possessed the gift of insight into everything the king and his army were planning. As a result, the king of Israel was kept safe. News of Elisha’s abilities reached the king of Aram, who learned that no matter where he sent his soldiers to capture the King of Israel, Elisha would always know their next move. So, the king of Aram sent his soldiers to capture Elisha, dispatching chariots, horses, and a strong force.

One morning, when Elisha’s servant woke up and went outside, he saw an army of horses and chariots surrounding the city. Terrified, he ran back to Elisha, exclaiming, “Oh no! What do we do?” Let’s pause here—this is “the storm.” What would we do in such a situation? How do we respond to the storms in our lives? Are our storms comparable to this one? The city was entirely surrounded, and the servant was frightened, even though he was with the man of God, Elisha.

Elisha comforted him, saying, “Do not be afraid; those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then, Elisha prayed for the eyes of his servant to be opened. When the servant looked up, he saw hills filled with horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha. As the enemy descended upon them, Elisha prayed for blindness to be cast upon his enemies, and it happened as he prayed. Elisha then informed them that they were in the wrong city and promised to lead them to the man they were looking for, taking them to Samaria. After reaching Samaria, Elisha prayed for their eyes to be opened. When they realized they were in the camp of the King of Israel, the king asked Elisha whether he should kill them. Elisha replied, “No, instead let us prepare a feast of food and drink for them.” After the feast, the soldiers returned to their king, and subsequently, the attacks by the Aramean forces on Israel ceased.

Storms come in various forms. For Elisha’s servant, the storm was the army of chariots and horses surrounding the city, which seemed unbeatable. The servant felt fear, as many of us do when faced with our own storms. Initially, he did not display faith, as most of us fail to do when storms roll in. However, the hope present was in Elisha, whose faith was remarkable. As Christians, we too need to possess “ridiculous faith,” like that of Elisha. The servant learned a valuable lesson that day: to trust in the Lord in all circumstances.

What’s remarkable about this story is the array of lessons it offers. First, the servant learned to trust in the Lord. Second, we saw how Elisha’s unwavering faith in the storm helped others. Third, we discovered that God has incredible assistance available at our call. All we need to do is realize that He is there in any situation and that everything works together for a purpose. The Aramean army also learned a significant lesson in their own storm; they found themselves in a dire situation and realized that through grace, they were spared, and through love, all things can be conquered.

Ultimately, the bottom line of this storm was to lead the King of Aram and his army to stop their attacks on Israel, all prompted by the act of kindness that Elisha showed. This insight is beautifully illustrated in the Word of God.

Matthew 5:43-48

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Storms will come, but it’s what we do during them that allows us to see the Lord at work. After every storm, there will be a sunny day. We need to have faith and seek Him in all things, for the Lord will make our paths straight.

In all situations, we should ask ourselves why—why did this happen, or why is it happening? What can I learn from it? It’s essential to reflect on our role in the storm. Am I acting rightly? Do I have enough faith? Am I trusting in the Lord? Am I looking in the mirror and asking what I could have done differently? Or perhaps I’m questioning why this is happening and assessing the situation to see if it’s simply a rudder helping me change direction.

In the end, every storm has a purpose—whether it stems from our actions or from something or someone else. We must remember that God is in control and has an army of horses and chariots surrounding us in our times of need. So rest easy tonight and place all your hope and faith in Jesus Christ.

Thank you, my friends.