"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." Romans 8:28
There is no single verse I have leaned upon more heavily in my pilgrimage than this one. In this time when military obligations have interrupted thousands of families I think back to when it affected Ann and I. It was 1961. We had married in December 1957. Ann and I began our lives together in Fort Worth at Southwestern Seminary. I finished seminary work in 1961 and we moved to Calvary Baptist Church in Lufkin. It was a strong church running almost 600 in Sunday School each Sunday. In the Fall of that year the Texas National Guard (49 th Armored Division) was called up and sent to Fort Polk. This was back during the Cuban missile crisis and the "cold war". A unit was called from Lufkin. There was a farewell held at the armory and my pastor and I attended. Some of those leaving were members of our church.A few weeks later I was leading the music in a revival at Taft. When I returned to Lufkin I had a notice to pick up registered mail at the post office. I laughed with the clerk and said, "this big brown package looks like it could contain military orders!". I had been out of the army five years and was in inactive reserve. No meetings or anything.I moved to the desk and opened the envelope and there they were; military orders sending me to Fort Polk. That was on a Monday. I resigned the church Wednesday night effective Sunday and reported for duty the next week! What was going on? Well, the call-up was not of God, for sure. For those, however, who loved God and tried to serve Him, God brought good from it all. That has happened in other areas of our lives in these almost fifty years of marriage. What we want? Not always. Enjoyable? Not always? Difficult? Often. Tragic? Even that at times. God in His greatness and power and love can turn anything upside down, and over, and whatever, and make good come out of it.
Joseph told his brothers,upon their reconciliation after many years, "You meant this to be evil but God meant it for good". All he went through was used by God to bring about good, though some of those things happening to Joseph were not good. This verse is not for everyone . It is for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. If you are a Believer it includes you. God bless!