God is Good All the Time
by Margaret Silvester
The goodness of God is something we sing about, talk about and read about from the beginning to the end of the Bible. His goodness is but one of His attributes. He is also holy, righteous, just, and compassionate, abounding in love and faithfulness. Whatever our circumstances and experiences in life may be, He is always working for the good of those who live for Him. God is also unchanging – the same yesterday, today and forever – so we can say with confidence “God is good all the time.” The Bible defines God’s goodness in two ways. One focuses on what He is (His character) and the other focuses on what He does (His actions). ‘You are good and you do what is good’ (Psalm 119:68.)
We live in a changing, unstable, unjust world, where bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. It doesn’t make sense. Sometimes our circumstances are beyond our understanding and from a human perspective they don’t seem tie up with the truth, reiterated numerous times in Scripture, “God is good.” But whatever we feel, God’s truth never changes. He is good all the time, not just when things are going well, and life is easy. When there are trials, losses, deprivation or heartache we have two choices – to stand on the truth that God is good all the time and He is faithful, or take on board the devil’s lie that God is not good all the time, just some of the time, therefore, is He really absolutely trustworthy?
When things don’t go our way or when God doesn’t seem to turn up and do what we ask or think, He asks us to surrender our desires, submit to His will and let Him overwhelm us with His love and the assurance that He cannot fail to work for our personal good in whatever happens. The other option is to try to work things out independently, depending on our own wisdom and understanding. This results in the consequential lies that we’ve been untreated unfairly and unjustly or forsaken by the One who assures us in His word that, because He cannot change, He cannot fail. Our faith seems to be shaken and, in our hearts, we harbour negative thoughts and attitudes towards the One who is our faithful, loving Father.
Good fathers long to enjoy intimate, trusting relationships with their children and Father God is no exception. Maybe you sometimes wonder why He doesn’t seem close and yet you are unable to work out the reason. Be assured, the blockage is not put there by God. The problem could be that a negative, judgemental attitude towards Him, even a grudge against Him has become lodged and hidden deep in the heart, accompanied by deep disappointment. Consequently, we are unable to receive and return His love, which is the answer to many of our fears, anxieties and insecurities. It can also be the main reason why we go round in circles and fail to receive the healing and wholeness Jesus purchased for us on the cross.
The true God revealed to us in Scripture, and in Jesus, is good all the time – faithful and unchanging. He simply asks that we seek to know Him in truth and trust Him whatever befalls us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good all the time and You never fail to keep Your promises. Please forgive me for any wrong attitudes and reactions I have had towards You and cleanse me by the precious blood of Jesus. My prayer today is that You will reveal Your Father heart to me and give me grace to trust and obey You and live for Your glory. Amen.
Margaret Silvester had a career as a teacher prior to being called into full time Christian Ministry with her husband, David, in 1986. They were involved in establishing a Healing Ministry in the local church and Margaret has a passion to see lost and wounded people found and restored. She and her husband joined the Ellel Ministries teaching and ministry team in 2000 after a clear call from God. Margaret`s book "Stepping Stones to the Father Heart of God" has recently been published.
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