By Scotty Smith

“We know God works for the good in all things, for those who love him—those called according to his purpose…  to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Rom. 8:28-29

Heavenly Father, this oft-quoted, most-beloved Scripture underscores the disparity between what we want a verse to promise and what you actually intend to give us.

As a young believer, I thought (fantasized?) it to mean, if I love you enough, a steady stream of “goodness” would flow into my life. “Good” included minimal pain, maximum delight, financial success, stellar health, and you saying “Yes!” to my prayers. Though copious creature comforts and all blessings flow (not trickle) from you, Romans 8:28 is promising better than our comfort.

First of all, I am so glad your generosity isn’t determined by how much we love you, but how much you love us—which is 110%. You actually love us as much as you love Jesus—heart-astonishing, indeed.

Secondly, thank you for not “dumbing-down “good” to be a synonym for “goodies” of the American dream. There is no greater goodness than Christlikeness. Nothing will be “good-er” than the Day you finish your work in us (Phil. 1:6), and we become as loving and lovely as Jesus.

Father, thank you for always working in all things all the time to make us like Jesus. Our suffering isn’t meaningless. When it seems like you’re not hearing or answering our prayers, you are at work. When you “bless us out the wazoo,” you are at work. When life is too hard, too confusing, too often, you are making us like Jesus. This doesn’t call for bucking-up and stoicism, but adoration and trust.

Free us, and So Very Amen.

The above devotion originally published at The Gospel Coalition (TGC).

Scotty Smith is the founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee. You can follow him on Twitter. He is author of ‘Everyday Prayers: 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith.’