All is Well

Is there anyone who would not like, “All to be Well” in their lives? Media has captured this phrase, “All is Well” too well attributing film songs in popular languages in India. Shakespeare has written a play named, “All’s well that ends well.” The lyrics of the Christian version of “All is Well” has powerful words able to encourage a person who has a troubled heart. Well, what is that I have to do for all to be well in my life?

All was Well

Do you know about a king in the Old Testament about whom it was said, “All was well.” His birth was prophesied about 300 years ago(1 Kings 13:1-2) and he was an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:10). He did what was right in the sight of the Lord. Most of us relate this good king to the spiritual reforms he did in the nation of Judah. He did purge the nation from idolatry and all other related spiritual evils of that time. But how many of us know that he defended the cause of the poor and the needy and that he was a right and just king? This was the reason in particular that all was well with Josiah in his life time (Jeremiah 22:15-16). Josiah did what God wants us all to do. This is what we have to do for "All to be Well": “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17). “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Josiah did what was right in God’s sight. But Cain was one who did not do what was right. He did not care for his brother. In stark contrast he killed him. So God said to him, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." (Genesis 4:7). James says that not doing good is a sin. “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.” (James 4:17).

All may be Well

Ephesians 6:2-3 tells that children need to honour their parents so that all might be well for them. The children of Recab, a story least known to most of us, honoured this command for generations because of which God gave them a blessing which is found in Jeremiah 35:19. “Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'Jonadab son of Recab will never fail to have a man to serve me." Does honouring parents apply only to the singe children? “No.” Whether we are single or married, the command of the Bible is to “honour” our parents. Now think about that for a moment. If only people all over the world follow this command, all people are taken care in this world! And “All may be Well” for all.

All to be Well

Pause again. For “All to be Well” in my life, have I have to take care of myself?  The above examples would help us to say a “No.” If I am concerned about the poor and the needy  like Josiah did, if I honour my parents like the children of Jonadab did, God would cause the blessing, “All is Well” in us. If I do not care for my own family, like how Cain did, our lives would be in a mess like that of Cain.

Being saved is one thing. Working out our salvation is all together different.  Isn’t interesting to know that, for “All to be Well” for me with God, I have to see to that, “All others in my horizon are to be kept well”. Finally, hear what God says to us: “Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may “GO WELL” with you.” (Jeremiah 7:23). Why don’t we heed to his word so that all may go well us?