Is God Ever NOT Good?
A friend recently had successful cancer surgery. When she joyfully announced the results, the responses were positive and predictable:
– God is good!
– God truly answers prayer!
– God really loves you!
– God is an awesome God!
We rejoiced with her in her prognosis because we understood the magnitude of what might have been.
Still, our collective responses started me wondering. What if God had not extended His hand of mercy to her? What if the surgery had not been successful? What if the cancer had spread? Would we still say:
– God is good!
– God truly answers prayer!
– God really loves you!
– God is an awesome God!
…or would we shake our fists at heaven and doubt God’s goodness?
The prophet Habakkuk wrote:
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Today, we might say:
Though the cancer is not healed
and I can’t pay my mortgage,
though my marriage has failed
and the economy produces no jobs,
though there are no book contracts in the offing
and no agents who want to represent me,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
No matter what happens, God is good.
Whether we understand our circumstances or not, God is good.
Whether we can serve Him the way we want or not, God is good.
Whether our days are difficult or easy, God is good.
Do you believe this—truly believe this in the midst of your present circumstances?
Believe it in your heart and speak it aloud because it’s true:
God is good, all the time.
And all the time, God is good.
I hope you’re not experiencing anything today that is causing you to doubt God’s goodness.
But if you are, what will you do with your doubts?