Notice the phrase “all things.” This verse does not tell us that all things are good. We know that the circumstances of our lives are not always good. Bereavement, sickness, disability, and war in themselves are not good. These things came about because of sin being present in the world. Originally God declared His creation to be “very good” (Gen. 1:31). But now it is scarred by the results of sin.

The Lord tells us, not that all things are good, but that our God works all things together for good. He is able to bring good out of the worst circumstances. We give a few examples.

After the death of Stephen, a “great persecution” began against the Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1). A bad thing? Yes, but in the scattering that followed, these saints “went through the countries announcing the glad tidings of the word” (8:4). As a result, “the Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord” (11:21). A good thing!

One other example we would mention is found in Acts 16. Paul and Silas, as clearly directed by the Lord, came to Philippi in Europe. After they healed a demon-possessed girl, her masters and ultimately the crowd rose up against them. “And having laid many stripes upon them they cast them into prison” (v. 23). These were surely not good things, but as a result the jailer and his family were saved and an assembly of Christians was formed in the town, to whom Paul later wrote.

Not all things are good, but our God works all things together for good for those who are the called according to His purpose.