The other morning as I listened to CeCe Winans belt out the song “The Goodness of God,” I suddenly had flashbacks of “bad” things I’ve experienced in my nearly seven decades of living.
A Mother’s Day miscarriage.
A life-threatening cancer diagnosis.
Untimely deaths of dear friends.
Painful turmoil in churches.
Addiction crises ending in suicides.
Heartbreaking marriage problems in friends and families.
Heartfelt prayers without the hoped-for answer.
I began to feel an overwhelming sadness and asked myself: How can I sing the words “all my life You have been faithful; all my life You have been so, so good” when I know I have seen a lot of so, so bad?
How about you? Have you ever asked the question “God, if you’re so good, why has this happened?” Or ” Lord, why hasn’t this happened?”
I sure have.
Why now, Lord?
Why them, Father?
Why, again, God?
Why didn’t You do what I know You have the power to do?
I don’t think the Creator of the Universe is dismayed at all by our honest questions. Just read through the Psalms and you will hear the writers pleading with God.
Some want Him to hurry up…
Lord, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea!
Don’t turn away from me in my time of distress.
Bend down to listen, and answer me quickly when I call to you. Psalm 102:1-2
Some feel incredibly discouraged…
Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck.
Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold.
I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.
I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched.
My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me. Psalm 69:1-3
During that recent morning of listening to “the goodness of God,” while visualizing the “badness” of life, the explanation came to me.
All of life is not good, but all of God is.
“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth “is how God described Himself to Moses.
Yes, God is good…all the time. He is good in the good times and He is good in the bad times. He doesn’t prove His goodness by making life easy or fair or happy. We can trust that His goodness is simply His character and cannot be changed.
As author Chris Tiegreen explains it: “Real faith recognizes God’s nature against all visible circumstances and says ‘I know who You are, I know You’re good, even if I can’t see Your goodness right now’.”
And as Psalm 23 promises “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Won’t you join CeCe Winans today and sing about “The Goodness of God”?
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(Be sure to open this blog in your browser to hear the music video.)
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There are several “uncertainties” coming to a full boil in our life right now. One thing after another has happened to my husband and me since 2021. We have relied on God more and more, and our faith has become deeper and deeper. That is the gift Our Father has given us. He is with us and blesses us with hope and strength to carry on. We are sure of His love and His beautiful plan for us, no matter what trial(s) our earthly life is inundating us with. My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, this is the same for you. Walk in faith,, not in sight.
Author
Hi Sharon,
Thank you for taking time to write such a good and thoughtful comment. When we are at our weakest, we really do learn again how strong He is, don’t we? And then He makes us stronger too. What an awesome God we serve. Walking with you by faith–Lynn
We have an awesome God. He knew exactly what I needed to hear and you were the perfect way to make sure I heard it! Life has not been easy lately and my strength was failing, but God sent me the help I needed! Thank you for being his faithful servant. You are a blessing! Linda
Author
Hi Linda,
It’s always so good to hear from you or see you on FB. You (and your sister) have been through so much in recent years. I’m so honored to know you and to have seen your faithful walk with the Lord for so many decades. You bless me! Love you!
Lynn, I am reading your poignant words at the airport in Atlanta where I am waiting to board a flight to NY to speak at a New England writers retreat my late friend Cindy founded. We were supposed to do this together, but cancer took her last month just weeks after her diagnosis, leaving us all reeling. I know God to be so, so good, and yet there is so much sorrow on this side of eternity. Thank you for speaking into my heart this morning,
Author
Dear Maggie,
What a honor to have God use my words to encourage a gifted writer, faithful Christ-follower like you. I honestly was thinking of Cindy’s passing as one of the sadnesses I felt I didn’t know her, but know how precious your friendship with her was and how many zillions of women’s lives she touched with her ministry. I pray your speaking this weekend brings God much glory and you much peace.