R 8.28

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Scriptural Reference: Romans 8:28 (kjv) "And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose."

It's like this:

We pray.

We pray in faith.

We look expectantly for the prayer to be answered in the affirmative.

Like Christmas time, we peek under the tree, trying to discover what's in the wrapped package with our name neatly printed on the label. We strain our ears to discern what we think we hear rustling just under the lid. We gently shake the boxed contents not quite hard enough to break them, but strongly enough to divulge the contents, if we can.

Or perhaps we sit on our wooden pew, each Sunday, listening to the preacher redirecting our uncertain hearts from teeter-tottering in between hope and doubt while we continue to pray. While we bite our nails, clinch our fists and pray. Sometimes that gasp and sigh that becomes a sudden rush of tears is the prayer that at last meets us with an answer.

We find the answer, in the oddest of places, dressed up in the most peculiar colors and style.

The answer that greets us is a quiet surprise.

"No."

I got a "No." answer today. Plain and unmistakable. The answer arrived as a computer malfunction that made an exam impossible to take. One of those unlikely unexpected events that I'm still shaking my head over. 

I applied for a job and as part of the continuing eligibility for employment process there were a series of tests I needed to pass. I logged into the Proctored website expecting all my computer applications to cooperate so that my only task was to pass with an 80% correct rate.

Imagine my surprise and consternation when the issue with my computer wasn't remedied no matter how I tried. I spent at least 35 minutes trying various things to be able to proceed with the exam.

At the nearly 1 hour mark like a gong I heard the 'door' slam.

I know you've heard it, "GOD's going to bless you." "Praise GOD for the open door." (Feel free to chime in with any other phrase that suits you.)

I rarely, if ever, hear anyone from the pulpit say to the congregants, "Sometimes, GOD's answer to your prayer is "No."

I remember I prayed, 'LORD JESUS, please guide me and make sure I apply for the job you have for me. Thank you, in JESUS name, Amen." I was confident that this job was the job JESUS intended to give me. I had no reason to suspect anything else.

Like I said, I got a "No." answer today. Plain and unmistakable. The answer arrived as a computer malfunction that made an exam impossible to take. One of those unlikely, unexpected events that I'm still shaking my head over. So.... I will return to my knees and thank the LORD for knowing me perfectly and orchestrating the timing, purpose, who, what, when, where, how of my life with precision and intricate care.

The answer may not be what you, or I may expect, but we can know that the truth of Romans 8:28 is at work when we receive our answer. Whatever that answer may be.

All is all.

Thank you my dear LORD for moderating the doors in my life according to Your will. I will keep praying and trusting You. 

 

Feel free to shine,

 

One Light

 

MDEL Publishing, © 2026

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All rights reserved. All content of OneLight is the sole property of the author.

 

 

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