I have tried to write this blog many times. I have ended up staring at the screen for a while and then giving up trying to write a post on what I have been learning: God’s goodness. Recently, this has been a sore subject for me, and with sudden tragedy hitting, it is now an even harder one.
I am tempted to just skip over and discuss something else, something lighter. Perhaps the story of how I almost got typhoid in trying to avoid typhoid (funny true story…be careful of the pills), or how God has shown up yet again with the funds to meet the second financial deadline. I have had the wonder of watching Him do it – and to watch you be His answer for provision. I love that God does the work for His children.
But I need something more, some deeper heart knowledge today – maybe you do too. I need to know my God is good. It is a vital truth on which so much hinges. Yet looking at circumstances it can be a struggle to believe. Many things in life often seem opposite of ‘good’, and if God is good – where are we left?
Perhaps there is confusion in what ‘good’ actually means. Our definitions of good vary widely, tend to be vague, and can often be selfish.
We need a different perspective. The definition of good is ‘desirable’. Valuable. Worthy. The synonym for good is best.
God is completely good, He is of highest worth. He is the true desire, the Treasure that our souls crave. The One that satisfies.
His goodness extends further: He calls us HIS treasure. He sees us as desirable even when there is nothing desirable in us. Regardless whether we choose Him, regardless of our messes and rebellion, He sees us as valuable, intrinsically loved and worth fighting for.
He has told us that all the gifts He gives are good. Gifts that are desirable (even if we do not desire them) and valuable….although they may not come packaged like we would like. Many sweet blessings and golden moments that are given to us are packaged beautifully and it is easy to be grateful for these gifts. Yet what about the ones that come more like a diamond in the rough – unexpected, dark, and even nasty looking, with dirt still on it from the mines where He pulled it. He then slowly reveals the good gift that lies below the surface of what we can see – a diamond that will sparkle like fire in the light.
We may not always understand the circumstances, but God is truly good. We can trust His heart. Thankfully, He is not just good, but sovereign as well….His good purposes prevail. Trust Him, He holds you close and has surprising treasures – things of real and lasting worth – for you in the dark places.
