The Silver Lining

The Silver Lining

“Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 28:31

Long before the Apostle Paul ever set foot in Rome, he sent ahead a letter—a sixteen chapter note jam-packed with sound doctrine and straightforward application for the Christians in that city.  In the center of his correspondence, Paul had written these words:  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”(Rom. 8:28). All things? Really?  Does every single cloud have a silver lining?

This verse can seem hard for those with an empty cradle, an empty bed, or an empty heart.  It can sound almost harsh to the abused, betrayed, afflicted, or evicted.  But the words are honest—the solid pledge of a holy God whose sovereign plan and purpose allows stuff we struggle to understand on our side of forever.  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Though this truth calms the anxiety of irritating delays and the sting of disappointing defeats, don’t quote this verse quickly or blithely.  It is not a Band-aid for pain, but a deep healing ointment that brings wholeness and hope when we face the woes of “trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword”(Rom. 8:35). It is the unfailing and unchanging assurance we cling to when things fall apart and we are left dealing with the devastation of “death, life, present, future, height, depth, and anything else in all creation”(Rom 8:38).  The proof of God’s promise is a blood-stained cross and an empty tomb, and when heartaches and heartbreak numbed Paul to see nothing else, he kept God’s grace in his sight—even as he walked as a prisoner into Rome.

It seemed as though Paul’s best days of sharing and serving might be behind him, but he “was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him,” and, “for two whole years, Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcome all who came to see him.  Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ”(Acts 28:16,30-31).  For the first time in a long time, Paul could preach without fear of persecution for the soldier sent to guard him became his protection.  His audience was eager and attentive because all who heard had to walk through his door, and from his prison, Paul penned four books—bestsellers which have encouraged and inspired until today (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon). 

Yes, the sky of Paul’s situation was dark.  Yes, the forecast for his future seemed dreary. But the God whose love cannot be severed (Rom 8:39) worked for Paul’s good even in the rain.

Don’t get down when the sky gets dark.

Clouds have a silver lining because the Son will never stop shining.