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
Earle Dickson was the cotton buyer for the Johnson and Johnson Company in the 1920s. He was frequently on the road, leaving his wife Josephine at home. She was apparently quite accident-prone, either cutting or burning herself almost daily. When at home, he would dress her wounds using the 3-inch wide rolls of surgical tape and bandages that were available. But it wasn’t something Josephine could do for herself. One day, Earle had an idea. He cut the roll of tape into inch-wide strips, put them on the kitchen counter, sticky side up, then added some small squares of gauze in the middle of each one, leaving enough sticky tape on each end for Josephine to use in dressing her wounds on her own. He would later mention his idea to the company president, and BandAids came into being.
Earle did not corner the market on making good out of bad situations. Today’s verse shows that God does this regularly. While there will be adversity in the life of believers, God’s assurance is that—if you love Him and walk according to His plan for you—He will make good come from what can look like the worst circumstances. Only His power can sustain, protect, heal, and develop you. You can have confidence in knowing that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
Pray, study, worship, and fellowship with other believers. Do the work He has given you to do. All will be well, according to His plans. Pray that the nation’s judges will learn and use the precepts of the Word of God in their administration of justice across the United States.
Today’s Verse: Romans 28:8
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 14:25-31
25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
