We sometimes think God does not work. He just sits on His majestic throne and watches us until Judgment Day. We are mistaken! God is at work today! He does not get tired of working and works 24 hours a day.
God reveals that work is an essential component of our existence. But, our finite wisdom and innate desire to have more rest and pleasure block us from the true mandate of God’s work. David Brooks revealed that in 1954, about 96 percent of adult American men worked. Today, that number is around 80 percent. One-fifth of all men are not going to work.
It is also estimated that in 2022, around 40 million people will no longer be working. But work is a paramount element of God’s character and an intrinsic part of our being. The Lord God rejoices when our works mirror and express His glory.
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Does God Work All Things For Our 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
We have heard the biblical notion: God is good[1], and He works for our own good. But, we sometimes question the truth of these words because we experience bad things and not the good things in life. We ask: Is God at work? Is He really working for my own good? If He is good, why is there so much pain and suffering in my life and elsewhere? But we have to bear in mind that the context of the biblical passage is anchored on two principal requisites:
We Love God
Only those who truly love God are the direct beneficiaries of the goodness of God. We may suffer pain and brokenness, but God allowed these necessary ordeals in order to humble us, give us hope, and remind us of the existence of God. If we remain faithless and unceasingly doubtful about the goodness of God, we forfeit the good working of the Holy Spirit.
We Are Called According To His Purpose
The passage in Romans 8:28 is a promise for real believers. If we have clarified our purpose in life, especially our role in God’s Kingdom on earth, we earn wonderful access to the good workings of God. Depending on our role in the pursuit and propagation of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit grants us the needed gifts we need for such an endeavor. If we remain stagnant and do not do any good works, we may not be recipients of the graces and goodness of God.
How Does God Work?
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.—Psalm 19:1
The Great Provider
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:19
Jesus told us not to worry about anything—the food we eat, water to drink, and clothes to wear. He also told us that if He could give food to the birds, would He allow us to go hungry?
God has proven to us in many instances that if we trust Him and remain faithful to Him, He will give us abundant blessings, sometimes exceeding our expectations.
The Great Healer
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD—Jeremiah 30:17
When Jesus was working on His ministry, preaching the Gospel, He performed healings and wonders to prove to the people that He is the Messiah. His miraculous works included the healing of lepers, making the blind see, and raising the dead back to life. Today, if we call on His Holy Name, God works by curing us of any form of affliction or disease. He will also comfort us in times of great stress and trouble.
The Good Shepherd
Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.—Psalm 78:52
Left to themselves, sheep are always lost in their paths and make easy prey for wolves and other predators. The Bible says that Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd who guides us and lights up our paths. His utmost concern is to lead us into righteous ways and not let us wander on the dangerous roads that lead to harm, destruction, and sin.
God Does Different Types Of Work
Author Amy Sherman shares in her book, Kingdom Calling, the different types of work that God does and how we can learn and emulate them in our lives:
- Redemption: The promise of reconciliation and salvation is God’s primary work.
- Creation: God works to mold and develop all of His creations.
- Providence: He is the Great Provider who supplies all our needs.
- Justice: God brings righteous rewards and punishment to every human being.
- Compassion: God’s love is reflected in giving us comfort, healing, and guidance.
- Revelation: The truth about Father God, His Son, and His Word brings hope and eternal enlightenment.
How Can I Believe God Works For My Good?
My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.—John 5:17
Trust In The Goodness Of God
Since the beginning of time, God has always worked for the good of humanity. He provided our first parents with all they could ever need for a happy and complete existence. Despite the Fall of Mankind, we continue to enjoy His providence and guidance in all areas of our lives.
God shows His mighty works through the wonders of nature and the miracles that happen to us and others in our everyday lives. Most importantly, He sent Jesus to bring us salvation as proof of His redemptive work and that God is working in our lives. By His grace, our pious life means God is working well in us.
The Truth Of God’s Word
The Bible is the source of truth. As the infallible Word of God, we draw strength, guidance, and inspiration from its pages on how we conduct our everyday lives. Its revealed and accomplished prophecies in the Old Testament testify to the authenticity that God is good. Science and archaeology also attest that there is a Supreme Being who governs the universe for the benefit and good of His most beloved creation—humankind.
The Means Of God’s Work
We Are Co-Laborers With God
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.—1 Corinthians 3:9
In the Bible, God describes the church as a field and a house of God. As our King, He governs us not only in the important aspects of our lives but also in the mundane things that we do every day. As a landowner in a field, God provides the seed, rainfall, good weather, and farm animals for the land’s cultivation. Our role as a farmer is to till the ground and tend it until we harvest its produce.
He Works With Us Through The Holy Spirit
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.—Acts 1:8
As our Sovereign God and King, He dwells in us. The Holy Spirit gives us the magnificent power to experience God’s authority and capabilities to discharge our purposes and tasks on Earth. Oftentimes, this power exceeds our human limitations and expectations so that we can experience His glory in our lives. This tremendous power also wields the authority to heal others and drive out evil spirits in our midst.
The Holy Spirit enables us to become conquerors in Christ, capable of doing mighty things for Him in order to advance His mission and purpose on Earth.
Why Does God Work Behind The Scenes?
Jesus replied, You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.—John 13:7
When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, the apostles were again mesmerized. Knowing that He is God and the Messiah, the disciples often wondered why He worked so hard in unconventional ways to propagate the Good News.
Jesus prayed hard, trained the disciples rigidly, and exceeded all boundaries of servitude to people. He worked hard teaching the unbelievers that salvation beckons to those who believe in Him and that the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Because of the Fall of Humanity, we have limited capacity for the purposeful pursuit of our lives. First, our physical capabilities are restricted and our wisdom is short compared to the attributes of God. As such, we are often misled in our ways and commit sin. Without knowing it, we often fall prey to the lure of the enemy, believing that all is well. We continue to live in sin and disobedience to our Master.
The same Jesus who worked hard during the New Testament times is the same God who works hard today in helping and guiding us to live righteously. When we trust God, we can even perform miracles in His Name. Our five senses often cannot detect His presence. But rest assured, His Holy Spirit dwells in us and works for our own good.
5 Reasons God Is Working Behind The Scenes
1. He gave us free will. As His beloved children, he gave us the wonderful gift of free will. Our freedom of choice proves that we are made in His likeness. We are created not like robots and God gave us the freedom to do what we want.
2. He wants us to increase our faith. God wants us to develop our knowledge of Him and His precepts on our own. He does not dictate faith and wants us to trust in Him at all times and believe in His goodness.
3. He wants us to grow spiritually. God gave us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. Without our knowing or noticing it, the Holy Spirit guides all our thoughts and actions, especially when we see the number 19, which leads to spiritual growth and maturity.
4. He wants us to learn His Word. God does not need to be visible to us in order to manifest His presence. The Bible is the living revelation of God and His commands that we can access anytime, anywhere.
5. He wants us to learn our purpose. God does not dictate what we want to believe or our purpose in life. He wants us to relate to His divine purposes in our lives. We are made to worship and honor Him at all times. God remains glad if we willfully avoid evil and pursue good.
What We Can Do While God Is Working Behind The Scenes?
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.—Ephesians 2:10
Continue His Work On Earth
We are called “Ambassadors of Christ.” Our primary aim is to advance His Kingdom on Earth by sharing the Gospel with people in all places of the world. As Christians, we are also to love others and do good works to let His glory shine in us.
Increase Our Faith
God wants us to continue to build our faith in Him. This is accomplished by unceasing prayer, reading His Word, and taking part in church services and activities. A senior pastor in the church helps Christians to pray and serve to increase their faith and accomplish their life purpose.
Prepare For Eternity
The constant purpose of our Christian life is to prepare for the Kingdom of Heaven. We discharge this point and purpose by constantly building our faith and keeping ourselves free from the love of this world. The Bible says that only through Christ can we gain eternal life.
Conclusion
Since the start of Creation, God has always worked for our good. Despite our fall and rebellion, He continues to love and care for us. He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save us and give us redemption for the Kingdom of Heaven.
God does not stop working every minute of our lives. He gives us food for the dinner table, a wonderful job, and a loving family. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God has also enabled us to heal ourselves and others of pain, brokenness, and disease. Most importantly, He is constantly working for our good place in eternity.
