The Bible’s take on all things

National Public Radio has for years titled some of its news programs “All Things Considered.” Though I have never been a regular listener to “All Things Considered,” I have certainly listened to NPR’s news show for interesting reporting on things I might never have thought about otherwise.

Recently I was wondering what the Bible said about “all things.” I found that in the English Standard Version of the Bible the phrase “all things” occurs 80 times (17 times in the Old Testament and 63 times in the New Testament). This article considers just three of the most interesting and meaningful Biblical references to “all things.”

First, the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, chapter 28, lists blessings promised to the Israelites after their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian slavery contingent on their obedience to the laws given to them by God through Moses. A longer list of curses that will come on them if they disobey follows. At verse 48 their experience of “the abundance of all things” is given as a reason that they would forget and disobey God, with poverty and enslavement to another nation as the promised result. We would do well to remember that prosperity (the abundance of all things) can easily lead to indifference about God and spiritual matters.

Second, in the New Testament, 2 Peter 1:3 says “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence...” Here we have a promise to Christians (2 Peter is addressed to “those who have obtained a faith with equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ”) that God has granted us “all things” we might need to live our best possible life, which is a life that pleases God. He designed and created us. He loves us. He knows what is best for us.

Third, Romans 8:28 (New Testament again) assures us that “for those who love God all things work together for good.” This statement comes in a context discussing God’s plans for the future in which Paul declared, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) If we really want to consider all things, we must consider eternal things.

Pastor Dan York ministers at Dover Community Church.