God is good all the time. It’s a saying that my students say responsively with me periodically
throughout the year. I have them say it to remind them (and if I am being honest, to remind
myself) that God is indeed good. When life is sunshine and smiles that is often easy to
proclaim. And yet, Isaiah 43 reminds us that troubles are going to come. It says, “When you
pass through the waters” and “When you pass through the fires” not “IF” you pass through the
waters or fire. When we pass through the fire or the water, it’s not as easy to say that “God is
good all the time”. Life sometimes seems to make no sense. God doesn’t always do things in
the way we would wish. It’s precisely at those times that we need to be reminded of the good
God who loves us and promises to be with us at all times.
Lately it seems that God has been directing me to the book of Job. My personal devotion is
studying that book, the Bible study at church looked into the book of Job and our chapel
message last week was on Job. I am not sure if the message for me is that my troubles are
minor compared to what Job suffered or perhaps to remind me that God-fearing people do
have tragedy in their lives. Maybe it’s to see the forgiveness for the times I do not handle
trials well. Job has some rock solid quotes: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked
I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised”
(Job 1:21). “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him”. (Job
19:25-27). Job also says, however, “I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only
turmoil” (Job 3:26). Job struggled with trusting God. I struggle, at times, to trust God. We can
all be grateful for passages like Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him”. What a reassuring comfort we are given in those types of
passages.
This morning as I drove to school pondering good times and bad times and trusting that God
is good all the time, I heard the song, “Thank God” by Stars Go Dim. I felt like God was talking
right to me. I will copy some of the lyrics for you to read and encourage you to listen to the
song. Here is how it starts:
Time to turn the sad songs off
Sometimes it's like I've finally had enough
Of staring down at my own shoes
Singing my own blues
Time to lift my eyes back up
Remember all the things He's done
Doesn't matter where I go
I have a future and a hope
So I will thank God for another new sunrise
Thank God for every single breath inside
There's not anything I'm gonna let steal my joy
Let steal my joy
Right now, there's so much to be grateful for
Right here is everything I need and more
'Cause He is always with me
Mountain or the valley
No matter how I'm feeling
There's always a reason to thank God, yeah
May you always see a reason to thank God for God is indeed good all the time!