On Sunday morning some years ago while vacationing on the Outer Banks we drove into Manteo.  We found a little white church and decided to visit and worship there. We arrived just about the time the morning service began, and, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, sat on the two vacant chairs nearest us. We were informed soon after being seated that we were seated with the choir and were kindly advised that we could find a seat elsewhere when everyone stood to sing the hymn. This was a small congregation, and no longer inconspicuous, we obligingly moved to two vacant chairs in the congregation.

A portion of the order of worship was given over to prayer requests and praise reports from the congregation. After each praise report the minister would say, “God is good!” The congregation would then respond, “All the time.” That got me to thinking of Paul’s Letter to the Romans (Romans 8:28). It reads, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (New American Standard Bible).

It is important to note both what the verse does say as well as what it does not say. Dr. Wayne Dehoney in a sermon on this verse says “…Paul is saying there are bad things that are bad; there are good things that become bad—but, in it all, God has a plan and he fits everything together—the good and the bad – and the result—the end out yonder—is good.”

He goes on to say, “Many things will happen to many people—all kinds of things. Good things and bad happen to you and to me—but when it happens we can say, …as a follower of Christ—I know something. I know that all things work together for the good in my life.” And so it is.

“God is good! All the time.”

Dr. Darryl E. Maxwell, Retired Baptist Pastor