Redeeming Love: A 5-Day Devotional by Francine RiversSample

Nothing Is Wasted

Have you ever had a moment where your past pain suddenly made sense?

Romans 8:28 is a wonderful but hard verse: “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Everything? Even the pain we have experienced at the hands of others—how can that be used for good? 

God’s purposes are bigger than we can see or understand. We look at this day, this week, and this year, but God looks at the scope of eternity. Our problems fill our field of vision, but God’s view is broader. He is less concerned with what is easiest for us and more concerned with what is best. And His ultimate best for us involves our being restored to Him. 

Look at the verses that follow Romans 8:28: 

God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the first-born among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. (Romans 8:29–30) 

God works in our lives to bring us to a right standing with Him. His goal is our ultimate good—our salvation—and His glory. And He can use everything—everything—to bring us closer to that goal. No matter how hurtful or senseless a situation seems now, He can make it new. 

One day we will see how God has redeemed the world, taking away all sorrow and pain and death. None of those hard things will last. What will last is God Himself dwelling among us, those whom He has made His children. He will restore everything. Nothing will be wasted. 

Write down a few of the hardest things in your life. Pray and hand them over to God, telling Him that while you don’t know how He can possibly redeem these or use them for good, you will trust that He will. Make a note to reassess these hard things in a few months to see what God has been doing.