God Is So Good, Even When Life Isn't

Commentary

In my own life, I have enjoyed God's goodness on the best of days, and I have survived by His goodness on the toughest of days. It's His goodness that sustains our very well-being, be it from what He has created to His providence over our lives.

We tend to dwell too often on the "what if's" and the "if only's". But when you can look back and see how the Lord has carefully prepared your steps and placed you where He wants you, then you understand that it's not about what He didn't give you, but what He has given you to endure and thrive in your present situation. As James states, every good and perfect gift is from God. And there is always good, even in tough times.

His mercy runs so incredibly deep and His love like an ocean that overwhelms the fiery trials of life. Today, meditate on all of the blessings God has placed upon your life. Maybe you'll see a tiny detail that you've overlooked, which displays His providence over your life in a certain situation.

Commentary

This is one passage that highlights the favor that the believer has. For each one of us, God has established a path; He has ordered our steps. As you follow that path set aside for you, He has perfectly aligned all things so that He will be glorified and everything will work out for your good. That doesn't mean you'll never encounter hardship, but it means that the Lord will help you through.

One Biblical account that I often think of when dwelling on God's favor is that of Joseph. Though his own brothers sold him into slavery, God had a plan to use that wicked scheme for His glory, Joseph's good, and eventually for the good of Joseph's brothers and father.

You may not be able to see the full picture, but in it all, the Lord has placed His hand upon you. He will never leave you or forsake you. He will display His glory through you for all to see. Though the difficulties of life are tough, our God is tougher than it all.

Commentary

King David was absolutely sure that he would see God's goodness during his life, and he certainly did many times. We too can understand that God's goodness is and will be on display toward each and every one of us, as His children.

One such example of God's goodness toward David was the loss of his son with Bathsheba. Their adultery was an affront to God, and God punished them for that. A loving gesture to correct the behavior of a child that He loved. While God took David's infant son quickly, He gave David the understanding that his son would be with Him (God) in Heaven, and one day David would see his son again. After that, God blessed David with Solomon, who would be king after David and be the wisest man to ever live.

God had a plan and would not let David's sin change that plan. In a moment of pain and suffering, which in this case was self-inflicted through David's transgression, God still displayed His goodness toward His servant, David.

Commentary

How can life possibly be any worse than living without knowing Jesus? God is so good that He not only blesses those who are presently His, but loves everyone so much that He has given the sinner a way back to Him, a way to become His blessed child.

Many unbelievers go through life blaming others and even the God they don't believe in for their misery. They ask, "If God is so good, why does He send people to Hell?". What they don't understand is that God has given us Jesus as a way out of Hell. God is so good that He does not choose to send someone to Hell, but rather leaves that choice up to each of us. Whether we trust in the blood of Christ or not, that determines where we spend eternity.

God’s goodness holds back His hand of judgment upon each of us and has given us this blessed gift which displays His goodness toward us, something that none of us truly deserve.

Commentary

God’s goodness is on display every day. When you and I seek to live for Him, seeking His face, we will see more and more of that goodness. Like King David, even as troubles surround you, the Lord is with you.

Personally, I can't even count all the blessings I've seen in my life, but there are certainly stand-out situations where I can now see how God placed people and resources in the perfect place, at the perfect time. He made situations in my life that were so difficult into blessings I could've never imagined at the time.

As you live out the days of your life, really meditate on the details of your circumstances. I think you'll find that even though not everything went to the plan you had, God is there displaying His goodness through aspects of your life that you don't always consider.

It might be in a situation that causes financial burden, He has blessed you with a desire to save months or years in advance, so you are prepared. Or perhaps in an overwhelming time, He has placed you in the right job or location to best endure that trial.

Jesus guaranteed that we'd deal with the troubles of this world, but to take heart, because He has overcome this world and in Him we will too. God is so good!