All Things for Good

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28, ESV).

This single verse is the subject of Thomas Watson’s book, All Things for Good (1663).  Watson was a pastor in London and a prolific writer.  You can access his story and many of his writings at ccel.org.

I first read this book about ten years ago in a season of soul searching and ministry transition:  “What is God up to?”  I was distressed.  The Lord used Watson to put my nose in the Bible and help me grapple with a profoundly simple yet simply profound verse.

The phrase “all things” means what it says:  all things.  And so, chapter 1 is entitled “The best things work for the good of the godly” [“the godly” means authentic Christians].  And chapter 2, “The worst things work for the good of the godly.”  With chapter 3 Watson asks “Why all things work for good to the godly.”  The remaining chapters consider the various ingredients of Romans 8:28, such as:  what love for God is and how you can see if it’s there; what it means to be called and how those God calls are to live; and the nature of God’s purpose.  If you’re thinking right now, “A whole book on a single Bible verse?!” let me chime in and say:  “For sure—and a verse that’s weighty, magnificent, and worth dwelling on!”

The fact that both “the best” and “the worst” things work for the good of God’s people points to the ingenious, omnipotent hand of God.  One might ask, “But what about my sin—are you saying my sin works for good?”  Careful here.  Watson clarifies, “I do not say sin works for good to an impenitent person” (p. 51), and “… not that there is the least good in sin” (p. 48).  Still, for the person whose heart truly trusts and loves Jesus, even our sin and its miserable consequences are overturned by the Sovereign Arm for our ultimate good.  After Peter fell he “went out and wept bitterly” (Matt 26:75), and the Lord directed Peter’s fall to break his pride.  “Sin in its own nature is damnable, but God in His infinite wisdom overrules it,…” (p. 44).  What’s more, the indwelling sin we see in our own hearts burdens us (Rom 7:24) and thus leads to our prizing of Christ all the more (p. 49).  Further, seeing our own sin “puts a child of God on self-observing…  A subtle heart needs a watchful eye” (p. 50).  Plus, “a child of God not only finds out sin, but drives out sin.  One foot he sets on the neck of his sins, and the other foot he ‘turns to God’s testimonies’ (Psalm 119:59).  Thus the sins of the godly work for good” (p. 51).

Watson says much about “affliction” in the Christian life.  Of course, “all things” forces him to reckon with the pain and loss we endure in this world:  how can these truly be woven together for good?  He’s careful to convey that the good in suffering comes into view in God’s time—there’s no promise that all trials will be instantly translated into bliss or that the believer might be spared all lingering pain.

In fact, “Afflictions to the godly are medicinal” (p. 26).  “No vessel can be made of gold without fire….  As the hard frosts in winter bring on the flowers in the spring, and as the night ushers in the morning-star, so the evils of affliction produce much good to those that love God” (pp. 26-27).  Dare to trust the Lord with your pain.

In my season of turmoil, I was especially drawn to chapter 3 of this book.  There Watson explains that “The grand reason why all things work for good is the near and dear interest God has in His people” (p. 52).  The Lord has promised, “They shall be my people, and I will be their God (Jer. 32:38).”  This implies at least five things about God’s relation to us (pp. 52-55).  Let these sink and soak in:

1. God is our skillful Physician. And does not the omniscient Doctor know what’s best?  “If God does not give you that which you like, He will give you that which you need” (p. 52).
2. God is our loving Father. “God’s chastening is not to destroy but to reform” (p. 53).  He disciplines us because he loves us.  And as the “everlasting Father” (Isa 9:6), his care is unending.
3. God is our dear Husband. “God entirely loves His people.  He engraves them on the palms of His hands (Isa. 49:16)” (p. 53).
4. God is our very best and faithful Friend. And does not our true Friend promise he will never leave us?
5. God is our wise and gracious Head. And does not the Head seek the good of his own body?

Find time to read Thomas Watson—he’ll make you dig into the Bible and look intently at our great God.  It will be time well spent.