For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)
After meditating on these verses, two pictures come to mind. The first picture is of how King David tirelessly gathered all of the builders, suppliers, and resources for his son Solomon after God told him he was not going to be in charge of building His temple. This was King David’s investment in Solomon. In the very first few words of Romans 8:29, God says He foreknew us. Such weight behind such few words! God is showing us here that He is a very BIG and, like how King David kept Solomon in mind, God has had us in mind since before the beginning. When reading on in Romans 8:29, God also says that His children are predestined to be transformed into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. The second picture that came to mind is found in Luke 14:25-33 when Jesus was describing the cost of discipleship to a huge crowd by describing how a builder first counts the cost of the build in order to ensure it can be completed. In the holiest of ways, considering our salvation, did God not count the cost when sending His Son down to die on the Cross?
When reading Romans 8:29-30, do you believe that God has your best interest in mind and always will? For me this is a tough one, especially when I think of my turbulent childhood. Much of my insecurities today stem from my childhood experiences, like my fear of man for example. It is really hard to believe that all the pain and suffering of being an outcast and overweight as a kid is all playing a part into being conformed to the image of His Son. But God, being way more interested in our holiness than we are, has a grand plan for how He’s going to take His children there from start to finish – and we are on it! If the answer is yes for you, how will this change how you lean into humility, suffering, service, and love today?