God is good. We can trust in his goodness. Life can be complicated. We can give in to despair and depression if we allow the events of our days to weigh on us. Instead we should focus on all the things God has done for us and not on the negative things. According to Pastor Rick Warren, “Hope is anticipating God’s goodness.” I was listening to one of his recent messages about God’s goodness and the hope we can have in it. He had some great insights about the goodness of God. I have used some of Pastor Rick’s highlights in this message.
God is faithful and trustworthy. God has shown his goodness to me every day of my life by giving me even each breath and continued life and has abundantly poured out even more on me through the provision, peace, love and joy that he has allowed me to experience again and again.
As Jerimiah 29:11 (ESV) says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” It is easy to miss God’s plans because we are set on the plans we want. We need to sit and listen for the Lord to tell us what his plans are for us. He will bless us if we walk the path that is according to His will. I am not so good at this. I have the tendency to just push forth and then ask God to bless what I am doing. It has caused grief and stress and I have even made a big mess at times. I have had to repent and readjust to get back on the path the Lord has had laid before me. For this reason, I am so thankful for His patience and grace. He never gives up on us even when we have gone our own way.
If we trust in God, we have nothing to fear and can have confidence in His goodness and provision. Psalm 27:1 (ESV) says “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” and Psalm 27:13-14, “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” If we wait to hear from God and then proceed, we can enjoy peace in our hearts and spirit. We can experience the “sweet spot” of walking with God. When we are in tune with Him, it resonates in our spirit. Knowing we are in unison with Him like being in tune with his tuning fork. It resonates through all our being. Another analogy is the “sweet spot” when hitting a ball with a bat or with a golf club. It feels right and you know it. I pray you experience this resonance of knowing that you are in unison with God’s will.
Lord, we praise you for your goodness. Thank you that you never give up on us. Help us to never give up seeking you and trying to walk according to your plans for us. Forgive us for when we have not followed your plans and help us to sit and seek you to hear your voice and know your plans. Help us to walk in Your will. Give us your peace. Thank you for your continued provision and goodness. Help us to see and praise you for all the goodness you continue to shower on us. Amen