Romans 8:28 (NLT)
Most people don’t know that I am a “master” cake builder (at least my family thinks I am). Years ago, I decided to learn how to bake cakes. I figured that if I wanted to eat them, I ought to know how to make them. One of my favorite creations was one of the more difficult cakes to make: a German chocolate cake made from scratch for my wife’s birthday.
Making cakes has made me appreciate that the individual ingredients for a cake don’t taste good on their own. Some of them are quite bitter. If you eat flour by itself, it doesn’t taste good. If you eat baking powder or raw egg or oil by itself, you’ll regret it. Even the vanilla by itself doesn’t taste good. But if you mix them all together and bake it, it’s delicious.
One of the greatest promises of the Bible is in Romans 8:28: “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (NLT).
Notice that verse does not say that everything is good. A quick look at the news headlines proves that isn’t true. And it doesn’t say this promise is for everyone—just those who love God. The way God works all things together for good is kind of like baking a cake. God can make the bitter, better.
In your life and in the world, there will be elements that are bitter and unpleasant. You might think, “That doesn’t taste good. I don’t like that change in my life. I don’t like what’s happening in the world today.”
When you’re in a season of rapid and relentless change, and some things don’t taste very good, determine that you won’t become bitter by seeing only the negative in your circumstances. Because even when nothing makes sense, you can trust that God takes it all—the good and the bitter—and uses it for his good plan.
You can’t see it now, but you will taste its sweetness in heaven one day.
Most people don’t know that I am a “master” cake builder (at least my family thinks I am). Years ago, I decided to learn how to bake cakes. I figured that if I wanted to eat them, I ought to know how to make them. One of my favorite creations was one of the more difficult cakes to make: a German chocolate cake made from scratch for my wife’s birthday.
Making cakes has made me appreciate that the individual ingredients for a cake don’t taste good on their own. Some of them are quite bitter. If you eat flour by itself, it doesn’t taste good. If you eat baking powder or raw egg or oil by itself, you’ll regret it. Even the vanilla by itself doesn’t taste good. But if you mix them all together and bake it, it’s delicious.
One of the greatest promises of the Bible is in Romans 8:28: “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (NLT).
Notice that verse does not say that everything is good. A quick look at the news headlines proves that isn’t true. And it doesn’t say this promise is for everyone—just those who love God. The way God works all things together for good is kind of like baking a cake. God can make the bitter, better.
In your life and in the world, there will be elements that are bitter and unpleasant. You might think, “That doesn’t taste good. I don’t like that change in my life. I don’t like what’s happening in the world today.”
When you’re in a season of rapid and relentless change, and some things don’t taste very good, determine that you won’t become bitter by seeing only the negative in your circumstances. Because even when nothing makes sense, you can trust that God takes it all—the good and the bitter—and uses it for his good plan.
You can’t see it now, but you will taste its sweetness in heaven one day.
Talk It Over
How can focusing on the things you don’t understand make you bitter?
What do you need to focus on in a time of major change? How will it help you see clearly?
Why do you think God makes the promise of Romans 8:28 just for those who love and follow him?
How can focusing on the things you don’t understand make you bitter?
What do you need to focus on in a time of major change? How will it help you see clearly?
Why do you think God makes the promise of Romans 8:28 just for those who love and follow him?
- by Pastor Rick
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Prayer:
Father,
We come before You with hearts that desire to get better, not bitter. Life’s challenges, trials, and disappointments often make us feel inclined toward resentment, but we know such an attitude does not reflect the Christlike spirit You desire in us.
We ask for Your grace to rise above pain, to choose forgiveness, and to let Your love rule in our hearts. Help us to see beyond the hurt and to learn from our experiences. Give us the strength to forgive others as You have forgiven us, and the wisdom to release the root of bitterness before it can corrupt our hearts. We trust that You are with us in every trial, as promised in Isaiah 43:2 — “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… you will not be burned or scorched”.
Thank You for Your unchanging love and for Your peace that cannot be taken away. Help us to focus on what can heal, not what can harm. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Thank You for Your unchanging love and for Your peace that cannot be taken away. Help us to focus on what can heal, not what can harm. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
