Book Review: All Things for Good

I like to read. Always have.

I like to go to bookstores. I’ll leave one bookstore (as I did yesterday), see another bookstore half a mile away, and want to peruse its shelves as well.

I suppose I’ve read a fairly large number of books and writers. And I’ve learned to be discriminating enough that by the time I pick up a book to read, it’s pretty likely that I’m going to enjoy and appreciate the book and the money I spent to make that purchase.

But on occasion, I find a book and a writer that is transformative in the way I think. Sometimes I stumble on a book that makes me see God more wondrously. Periodically, I will discover a book that will make me return again and again both to it and to that writer. Thomas Watson’s All Things for Good is just such a book. In fact, it’s even more than that, because not only have I gone back to this book repeatedly, but reading this book spurred an interest in the Puritans for me and thus presented to me many other wonderful writers and works.

Yet of all the Puritans, Watson stands out for me because of the clarity and expressiveness of his writing. He tells stories, and paints pictures with words in virtually every sentence that draws the reader in and compels him to turn the next page. And he has so structured his writings that he is easy (at least for a Puritan) to read. His arguments are clear, and the way he has divided his chapters up make it reasonable to read him a few pages at a time in conjunction with one’s Bible reading.

What makes this particular book so particularly compelling is that it is his exposition of Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”

In Watson’s examination of this verse, he considers each phrase in turn and demonstrates how God’s sovereignty in the affairs of believers is a gracious and good gift. Thus, even “the worst things work for good to the godly.” And thus the reader is encouraged to love God more and trust Him more surely.

Here are several examples of his writing:

Affliction to the godly are medicinal. Out of the most poisonous drugs God extracts our salvation. Afflictions are as needful as ordinances (1 Peter 1:6). No vessel can be made of gold without fire; so it is impossible that we should be made vessels of honour, unless we are melted and refined in the furnace of affliction.… These afflictive providences which seem to be prejudicial, are beneficial. (p. 26)

How do afflictions make us happy? We reply that, being sanctified, they bring us nearer God. (p. 31)

What a blessed condition is a true believer in! When he dies, he goes to God; and while he lives, everything shall do him good. Affliction is for his good. What hurt does the fire to the gold? It only purifies it. What hurt does the fan to the corn? It only separates the chaff from it.… God never uses His staff, but to beat out the dust. Affliction does that which the Word many times will not, it “opens up the ear to discipline” (Job 36:10). (p. 56)

By this let us test our love to God. Do we shed the tears of godly sorrow? Do we grieve for our unkindness against God, our abuse of mercy, our non-improvement of talents? How far are they from loving God who sin daily, and their hearts never smite them! (p. 76)

One of the major tests and quests of life is how an individual will respond to disappointment and heartache. What will be the orientation of his heart and soul? Will he despair of life? Or will it drive him to a sweet confidence in the kind providences of God? This is a struggle for all people. And for most of us it is a daily battle.

We need help to keep our eyes fixed on the perfecter of our faith, who chooses often to perfect us through hardships. This book will help you keep the compass of your heart fixed on Him. Read it. Then read it again. And again. For the good of your soul.

This blog was originally posted on Words of Grace.