I know the phrase "God is good" has become almost a cliche to some of us. We use it so much that we say it automatically. Sometimes it is almost as if we are trying to convince ourselves of his goodness. Yet we continue to say it, partly because we believe it most of the time, and partly because we are expected to say it.
But is God really good? (Don't throw stones yet, please). Is God good when everything is going wrong in my life? Is God still good when I don't understand why he lets things happen? What about when a loved dies young or a Christian is murdered? Wasn't God supposed to protect them? These are valid questions and I don't believe God minds us asking.
Several years ago a close friend was taken from me at only 19 years of age. He was in the prime of life. There were so many things we didn't understand. Why God, seemed to be the only prayer I could form. Yet God did send an answer in his time. The answer he gave me is from Isaiah chapter 57, verse 1. The scripture says:
"The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come."
But is God really good? (Don't throw stones yet, please). Is God good when everything is going wrong in my life? Is God still good when I don't understand why he lets things happen? What about when a loved dies young or a Christian is murdered? Wasn't God supposed to protect them? These are valid questions and I don't believe God minds us asking.
Several years ago a close friend was taken from me at only 19 years of age. He was in the prime of life. There were so many things we didn't understand. Why God, seemed to be the only prayer I could form. Yet God did send an answer in his time. The answer he gave me is from Isaiah chapter 57, verse 1. The scripture says:
"The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come."
When I read these words I remembered something. God is the giver and taker of all life. He understands things that none of us can understand. The prophet is reminding us here that God can see the future. And when the righteous are taken from us (especially when it seems too soon) we can rejoice that they are taken away from the evil that is to come. Their battles are over. They are eternally in the presence of God and need never face another heartache.
This life is full of troubles and woes. Unfortunately, because of Adam and Eve's sin, death has entered the world and the heartache that goes along with it. But the grave is not the final resting place for a child of God. The hope of the Christian is found in I Thessalonians 4: 15-18
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The hope of the Christian is the resurrection (rapture) of the church. Though troubles may come in this world, God has not left us without a promise. He will come again and receive us unto himself. This is the only thing worth living for. The promise of His return!
So, I ask again. Is God good? He most certainly is?
Looking for Jesus,
Sullivan Jones