Is God For Us?

Is God For Us?

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” We could re-write it as follows: If God is against us, who can be for us? “All things work together for good to those who love God.” Loving God means that we give up our self-will.

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38. He couldn’t possibly do both. “But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do.” Ch. 14:31. Here it is plain to see that loving God means giving up our self-will and humbling ourselves under God’s will, or under His hand and leading. 1 Pet. 5:6-7. In that case God is for us, and no one can do anything against us, because then all circumstances and every person work together for our best.

On the other hand, if we do our own will, we will have God against us, and then it doesn’t matter how many people are for us. Then nothing will be for our best, for no one we can manage to persuade to be for us can do anything against God, who is against us.

We learn this from what has happened in the past and has been written for our example. 1 Cor. 10:6, 11. Ahab called together 400 prophets who were for him, but since Ahab had God against him it didn’t matter in the least that these 400 prophets were for him. Micaiah understood this, so instead of seeking the approval of the king, he chose reproach from the king and approval from God. God was for Micaiah, and all the others could do nothing against him. 2 Chron. 18. God was for also Joseph; therefore no one could be against him. God turned all the evil they had thought to do to him to the good. Gen. 50:19-20.

No situation in this world will turn out badly for us if we love God, i.e., if we give up our self-will. Then, everything will work together so that we are conformed to the Son and will be among His brethren, those whom He glorifies.

If what you encounter in life damages your relationship to God, it is because you are not giving up your self-will and denying yourself. Only you can do injury to yourself. However, if everything and everyone works together so that you come nearer to God, and also works together so that you are conformed to the Son, then you have given up your self-will and God is for you.