"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
On the evening of Groundhog Day I went to a conference in St. Paul, Minnesota with a bunch of guys from church. It is a wonderful conference and I would recommend it. At the conference is a fantastic room full of books, and mostly discounted books. I knew I was going to buy a couple but not how on earth was I going to pick. There were so many good ones. I got a book for the whole family, a book for my oldest and finally a book for myself.
Little did I know how much I was going to need and want that exact book.
When I got back from the conference I took the books I bought and some that were gifts of the conference and set them in a stack. I still had another book to get to before I would start any of these, but I put them in a stack to read next.
I finished the book I was reading prior and then a young man who I love was tragically killed in an accident. With glassy, tear-soaked eyes I decided to grab my next book and I couldn't have asked for a better book for that moment.
All Things for Good (formally A Divine Cordial) by Thomas Watson was the book on the top of the stack.
Things are often called a godsend. This book, which is entirely based on Romans 8:28, was God sent. I encourage you to read it. While originally published in 1633, it is very approachable and Watson is a master of great sentences. Let me share some of my many favorite lines from the book and maybe you'll decide to add it to your book stack today.
"This expression 'work together' refers to medicine. Several poisonous ingredients put together, being tempered by the skill of the apothecary, make a sovereign medicine, and work together for the good of the patient." p. 5
"Do not mistake me; I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise, overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good." p. 21
"It is dangerous to judge others, but it is good to judge ourselves... When a man has judged himself, Satan is put out of office... he is able to retort and say, 'It is true, Satan, I am guilty of these sins, but I have judged myself already for them; and having condemned myself in the lower court of conscience, God will acquit me in the upper court of Heaven." p. 48
"If God does not give you that which you like, He will give you that which you need. A physician does not so much study to please the taste of the patient, as to cure his disease." p. 52
"What a blessed condition is a true believer! When he dies, he goes to God; and while he lives, everything shall do him good." p. 56
"No man did ever come off a loser by his acquaintance with God." p. 57
"The more we enjoy of Him, the more we are ravished with delight." p. 94
"God would have us part with nothing for Him, but that which will damn us if we keep it. He has no design upon us, but to make us happy." p. 118
