God’s Good Work - Romans 8:26-28 by Pastor Dan Roth

Main message: God is at work in every circumstance — including suffering and weakness — weaving all things according to his providential plan for the good of those who love him and are called to his purpose; we are to trust his will rather than our own understanding or worldly philosophies.

Key points:

• The Holy Spirit helps in our weakness and intercedes for us (groanings/travail) according to God's will (Romans 8:26-27).
• Romans 8:28 means God works all things together for good — not merely our subjective idea of “good,” but according to God's purpose and plan.
• Biblical examples (Joseph’s life and Genesis 50:20; Paul’s imprisonment and Philippians 1:12-14) show how suffering and adversity were used to advance God’s purposes and provide for others.
• Stories from history (Corrie ten Boom, underground church leader Jiang Rangliang) illustrate trusting God’s providence in persecution and hardship.
• We should not blame God for evil or attribute suffering as His direct doing; rather, look for how God uses trials to produce humility, dependence, spiritual fruit, and the spread of the gospel.

Scriptures mentioned: Romans 8:26-28, Romans 8:27, Genesis 50:20, Philippians 1:12-14, Isaiah 38:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 5