All Things for Good

I'm glad the 2005 Desiring God National Conference whose theme was 'Suffering and the Sovereignty of God' recommends this book. Watson went deep, as he usually did, on all his treatises I have read, this one on Rom 8:28. What is particularly encouraging is where he explained why and how God uses the evil of affliction, abandonment, temptation and sin for the good of the saints in an excellent way, though in some cases he sounds a little redundant and verbose. There is a little flavor of Calvinism when he discussed "for those who have been called according to his purpose.", which makes sense, since Rom 8:28 is the beginning of an elaborate and robust defense on the doctrine of unconditional election and limited atonement that continues on in chapter 9. I went away happy after reading this book, having drunk a divine cordial of grace and tasted and seen the LORD is indeed good. From him, through him and to Him are all things. To him be glory forever, amen.

The eminent Puritan pastor Thomas Watson gives us in 'All Things for Good' an exposition of Romans 8:28. In opening up this portion of God's Word his purpose is to comfort the Lord's people,and help them to see that even in the greatest trials that they will face, God is willing and able to make them work out for their good. How can the Lord work trials ,both great and small,to bless and help His people? In this masterful treatise Watson shows us how this can be. In the first section of the first chapter we see that it is God's attributes, that being His power,His wisdom and His goodness that are operative in His children's behalf. The Puritans were master physicians of the soul. One cannot help but think that the depth of their understanding on how God uses affiction and trials in the lives of believers was not just in theory but in large part experiential as well. Just a brief sketch of many of their lives would reveal that to be the case. They also realized that whatever brings Christians nearer to God was to be seen as an evidence of His love and a desire to abundantly bless them. A couple of brief quotes will hopefully give a small glimpse of the great depth that is so abundant in the written legacy that the Puritans have left us: p.31"How do afflictions make us happy,we reply that,being sanctified,they bring us nearer to God." p.52" God does not deal alike with all ,He has trials for the strong and cordials for the weak... if God does not give you that which you like,he will give you that which you need." In Christ's school of learning ,(how the Lord providentially uses affliction,temptation and sin)for the believers good ,the Puritans are masterful teachers,and books such as 'All things for Good' should not be neglected to help instruct us in these important matters.

Sometimes things don't see to work right. Sometimes we mess up and feel that things aren't good, but as Thomas Watson so beautifully and wonderfully writes, All Things For Good. If you ever feel that life is not going right, that something is lacking, and that bad seems to dominate, pick up this doctrinally sound book, and allow God to speak to you through it. The teachings in this book are excellent and very informative. Just from reading the first chapter, I couldn't put the book down. It has blessed me emmensly, and I pray that it will bless you too, in ways that it will show you how God works things for good in ANY situation, good or bad, for our blessing, because of His grace and mercy. May the Lord bless you as you read this book. I would also encourage you to buy Watson's other book called, "The Doctrine of Repentence." Which is another wonderful book.

Do you need encouraging in times of difficulty? This book is for you. Do you need strengthening in your walk with the LORD? This book is for you. Do you need help in everyday living? This book is for you. This book in fact brings to every person great encouragement in the opening up of Romans 8 verse 28. How does the LORD make sin and evil and persecution, and life and death and every other thing work together for good? This little book explains how so simply and gently that you just want to dance and sing for joy. One of my top five books ever- if not the joint top with Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. Buy and read. Buy and praise Him.