God is really good!

With all the suffering and pain in the world caused through ‘CONVID 19’ – loss of jobs, serious hunger, thousands of people dying, relationship breakdowns and isolation issues do you ever wonder if the all-powerful, loving God is really good?

It appears that most missionaries in the 1800s had it really tough and Allen Gardiner was no exception. After the death of one of his daughters he first went to Africa as a missionary, but due to various circumstances he later made his way to South America. Unfortunately, he and his team were stranded on an island where food supplies ran out six months later. Eventually they all died of starvation and he was the last to die. Gardiner kept a diary which was discovered next to his body. His last entry recorded the words of Psalm 34:10 ‘The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing’. This brief comment followed; ‘I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God’. In the face of death, This was Allen’s experience of God. Is God good all the time? Yes!

Bible
Scripture endorses repeatedly that God is good. As humans we do not get the full picture as in the case of Job. It was only after his deep suffering Job got a different perspective.

Twice Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd” to emphasize the point (John 10:11 and 14).

David wrote many of the Psalms while suffering great pressure yet he often expressed ‘God is good!’ It takes a step of faith to do this but lift your vision like David and speak faith. Hebrews 11:6. Says ‘it is impossible to please God without faith’.

Do not remember the sins of my youth

and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. Ps 25:7

Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. Ps 25:8

Taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Ps 34:8

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;

I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good. Ps 54:6

You, Lord, are forgiving and good,

abounding in love to all who call to you. Ps 86:5

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations. Ps 100:5

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever. Ps 107:1

You are good, and what you do is good;

teach me your decrees. Ps 119:68

Observations

There’s an African proverb ‘God is good all the time, all the time God is good’. True.
Sometimes I rush in with my plans and they don’t work out in the way I want. I feel frustrated but I notice God often comes through later with something far better. Do you have a similar experience? It endorses the fact that God is good and has the best in mind for us.
We have a banner hanging in our kitchen, ‘Today I will choose joy’. This is something believers must choose to do.
Many have learnt the power of praise in terrible situations. You may have found this truth for yourself. This is not thanking God for the evil happening, but even in horrible circumstances praising God for who He is. This is faith in action as in Heb 11:6.
It is good in the evening to reflect on the day’s activities around a meal table as a family, and to mention 2-3 things we are grateful for. It teaches us to be mindful of God’s goodness.
S. Lewissaid, “God is not merely good, but goodness; goodness is not merely divine, but God”.
Oral Roberts out of family tragedy learnt to thank God for His goodness.
Matt 6:33 – ‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well’. We can’t always see it God’s way at the time but seeking Him first is a key to discerning His goodness and walking in joy.
As Bill Bright says, ‘There are no unhappy obedient Christians, and there are no happy disobedient Christian’. Get this conviction of ‘God’s goodness’ into your spirit and you will do well.
It is important not to be controlled by what we see 2 Cor 4:16-18; the Apostle Paul wasn’t.
Finally, a word from St Ignatius (50-108 AD) “We should not fix our desires on health or sickness, wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or a short one. For everything has the potential of calling forth in us a more loving response to our life forever with God. Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me.”

Resources
‘The Power of praise and worship’ by Terry Law and Jim Gilbert. (A very good book recommended by Christianity Today. Inspiring.)
Song – Raise a hallelujah. https://youtu.be/e3RRU25dpPg
Song – Blessed be your name. https://youtu.be/PnWKehsOXu8
‘Why suffering: Finding Meaning and Comfort When Life Doesn’t Make Sense’ by Ravi Zacharias: Vince Vitale

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