Rom 8:28 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.

If we are completely honest, even as a Christian, at one time or another we have asked that question. I know in the midst of several trials I have lifted my eyes toward heaven and asked God, What on earth am I here for?  Well, that’s usually a question that He never answers, or if He does He just reminds me that “I already know the answer.”

As I was meditating on Rom 8:28 the other morning the Holy Spirit reminded me that when God chose me, His purpose (specific intent) for me was already “Fixed.” In the Greek (prothesis) means to “lay down in front of others.” It means the we were not saved in some haphazard fashion. God has a perfect, eternal design for our life.

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

What the Holy Spirit reminded me of was that, not only does God have a purpose for my life that is accordance with His perfect will, that purpose or plan isn’t the result of any merit on my part. He called me (past tense) and it’s all according to His grace. Now here’s the part that we so often forget.

Because we have been chosen according to God’s eternal purpose, we are immediately surrounded by the protection of the Holy Spirit. And we can be absolutely confident that the individual plan for our life is “Fixed.” If we can just grab hold of that fact we’ll realize the confidence that God is working according to His eternal purpose. And that purpose is God’s divine plan for our perfection, which we fulfill as we walk our sanctification. That is eternal assurance!

But!

There is always a but isn’t there. Look back at our opening verse… And we know.  That’s the key, that we know (be sure of; understand). We need to know that we have His assurance each and every day. To know that nothing can touch us unless it passes through the will of God. To know that He is working out His purpose not only for us but “in” us.

Paul tells us that in “knowing” that God’s purpose for us is fixed, we can stand firm in the face of the tests and trials that come our way. But our knowing only comes from spending time with the Holy Spirit in the Word, renewing our mind and bringing it into conformance with the truth.

That purpose is fixed and we don’t need to wonder… What on earth am I here for? We are her for His purpose and for no other. And the confidence we have in that is residing inside each of us!