My dad came to know the Lord as His Savior when I was about 10 years old.  I remember this very well because a change came over my dad that was amazing.  Often my mother would wonder where our dad was and lo and behold, he had taken his Bible with him on a walk and lost all sense of time studying God’s word.  All of this studying was preparing him for a time of terrible suffering.  In 2007, my precious mom died after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. They had been married for 42 years. The next year he was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease. In 2010, he married again and sadly, she passed away in 2014.  Since then, his health has declined to a point where he is unable to live independently. Many in his situation would despair of life, but he has not despaired because of his confidence in the Lord.  If you were to talk with him, he would tell you that God is GOOD; that God is truly an ever-present help in time of trouble. With that, let’s focus on who God is and who you are in Him.

Who is God? He is GOOD.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is GOOD! For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 25:8

GOOD and upright is the Lord.

Psalm 34:8

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is GOOD; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Nahum 1:7

The Lord is GOOD, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.

Who are you in Him? You are Confident. 

Philippians 1:6

For I sure of this that He who began a GOOD work in you will carry it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the GOOD of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Psalm 27:13-14

I remain confident of this: I will see the GOODNESS of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Some may ask how God is GOOD during a time like this. I have wrestled with that question many times throughout my life.  I think it’s a common question.  Here is my feeble attempt to answer this.  We are promised that we will go through trials, BUT we are also promised that the Lord is with us. Isaiah 43 says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”  

For the believer, trials are meant to to make us more like Jesus and less like our sinful selves.

Psalm 66:10 says, “For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.”  A silversmith lights a fire under unrefined silver causing the dross (impurities) to come to the top.  The silversmith then removes the dross. He will do this over and over until the he sees his reflection in the silver. The Lord does this for us in the form of trials. In His GOODNESS, He wants us to reflect Him. From the outside many would look at my dad and pity him but if they spent any time with him, they would see Jesus in him.  Where my dad is weak, Jesus is strong. Trials for the believer are to also make us confident. James 1:2-3, & 12 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” 

For the unbeliever, trials are meant to get your attention. The Lord in His GOODNESS wants you to turn to Him and believe. Psalm 119:71 says, “It was GOOD for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.”  If He has your attention, then submit to His GOOD plan and give your life to Him. 

As I close, I pray that you are ‘joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 God is up to good things in this by drawing believers closer to Him and by calling unbelievers to Himself.

Here are three songs to listen to.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Alan Jackson

You Are Good by Israel & New Breed

Good, Good Father

Blessings to you.

When you pray….Pray for the daily things; yourself, spouse, and children.  Today is the 4th Friday of the month, so pray for your friends.  In addition, praise the Lord for His GOODNESS to you in the midst of the trials that come our way.