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?
What a beautiful and honest post, Ava! Such a great reminder. Very powerful words.
I love this post, Ava. Yes, I believe it! God IS good all the time. We’re told to “give thanks in everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). In every circumstance, good or bad, because we know God is going to do something good through it (Romans 8:28). Maybe develop our character. Maybe allow us to draw closer to him or our family. Maybe just to realize our dependence on Him. But if we love Him, He’s always working things out for our best. That’s what a loving Father does. Thanks for this excellent reminder.
Thanks, Crystal & Linda. It’s a reminder I need as well!
A thoughtful post, Ava. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I DO believe He is good all the time! Actually, in that verse from Habbakuk I already have written in my Bible “though my health may fail” to remind me it isn’t just if those things happen to me, but what has happened to me. Despite being chronically ill, & seeming to ge worse rather than better, I can still say He is good.
How? Well, every day I use the verses from 1 Thess 5:16-18 – Linda has already made mention of v18. How can I rejoice – well, even when everything seems black, I can still rejoice that my name is written in heaven! Because of what He did for me, I have a home where one day I won’t have to be in pain any more! (Rev 21:4). We are told to pray without ceasing – so I make my requests known. Then I give thanks for what I do have – a home, food, clothing, heating, electricity, water, a loving family. It help keeps me grounded & not too focused on the what I have lost out on!
And yes, I believe He has a plan for my future, despite the illness. It hasn’t taken Him by surprise, & somehow, I know He can use it for His glory. How? I have no idea. But I know He cares (1 Peter 5:7) & that He will never leave me, nor forsake me (Heb 13:5)
Wendy – thank you for the reminder that our confidence in God’s goodness doesn’t only extend to the uncertain future, it also applies to the not-so-pleasant past.