His Goodness

 A favorite verse of many Christians is Romans 8:28. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Often, that promise has been a great comfort to me personally. But I think at times we don't consider all the truths this promise reveals. For example, do we really embrace the truth that all our struggles are His working to do us good? When my plans are changed or altered, do I embrace the good that is coming or murmur and complain about the circumstances and what He is asking of me in this situation? Do I ask Him, "Lord please help me to surrender to this failure, this illness, this loss, this confusion so that you can use it to transform me more fully into Your likeness. Help me to live for You in such a way that others will know that I see this as Your good hand at work in my life--that I trust Your goodness even though what I am experiencing doesn't seem so good to me." Do I really believe that His goodness is at work in my life in "all" things--even if I can't see it? Do I trust Him and surrender to His will--His good will? To not do so will result in a loss of peace, a loss of contentment, a hindrance to my transformation into the image of Christ. The issue in my life in such times has always been: Who knows what is the best for me, the good? My Savior or me? I don't deserve this. You don't deserve His goodness for sure--and all things are His goodness being lavished on you.

And may I add that all that is going on in our country--and the world--is God at work. Revealing His wrath against the ungodly who are trying desperately to suppress the truth? Yes. But He is also using all these things as a vital part of His plan to do good for His people. Yes, all these things. And whatever happens next--even in November--will be the goodness of God at work for His children. Will we submit to His will? Or murmur and complain and fear? One way the goodness of God and our confidence in that promise will be seen in our lives. The other way will lead to a walk identifying us with the children of Israel who wandered through the wilderness for forty years never able to see and embrace His goodness. One way we will die in the wilderness short of God's best. One way we will say fearlessly with Caleb "bring on the giants. If God be for me, who can be against me? I will not fear what man can do to me. I rest on the promise of His good hands at work in my life."

All things--do you and I trust in His goodness?