CAN YOU SAY GOD IS GOOD?

“The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” Nahum‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I read a story recently that spoke to my heart of a missionary named Allen Gardiner. Allen experienced many physical difficulties and hardships throughout his service as a missionary. Despite his troubles, he said, "While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me." In 1851, at the age of 57, he died of disease and starvation while serving on Picton Island at the southern tip of South America. When his body was found, his diary lay nearby. It bore the record of hunger, thirst, wounds, and loneliness. The last entry in his little book showed the struggle of his shaking hand as he tried to write legibly. It read, "I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God." Allen Gardiner.

Can you say that today - GOD IS GOOD?  

I know that my journey in life has taught me this lesson over and over. I sometimes see things so narrowly and small that I often don't see the big picture that God has laid out before me.  He has brought me through every trial and every difficulty and I can honestly say emphatically - GOD IS GOOD!

I have been blessed with so much over my lifetime and have been blessed to find favor with many people across the world.

I know that life throws curveballs that there are obstacles along the way.  I know that there will be days and seasons that literally make you want to quit and throw in the towel.  I know that tragedy happens to all of us and difficulty makes it hard to go forward.

I know this from personal experience. 

But through it all, I know this - GOD IS GOOD!

A little boy is telling his grandma how "everything" in his life is going wrong. He’s telling his grandma about his problems with school, family & friends, etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which of course he does. "Here, have some cooking oil," grandma offers. "Yuck" says the boy. "How about a couple raw eggs?" Grandma asks him. "That’s gross, Grandma!" he says. "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Grandma, those things are all yucky!" the boy says. To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all these things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But as we trust in Him despite the circumstances, Eventually, together all things will make something wonderful!"

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Hebrews 13:5 which tells us that God will never leave us or forsake us.

Every day this world around us changes. Sometimes for the good. Sometimes for the bad. But we serve an unchanging God that loves us and embraces us in all times.

Here's the thing: God knows us.  He knows our every weakness and He still loves us.  He knows our every strength and and He still wants to use us.

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

No matter what you are facing today I pray that you can stop and remind yourself that GOD IS GOOD - ALWAYS.  Remind yourself of the places where God picked you up and carried through the storm and through the difficulty.  

Perhaps you might be facing a looming trial right now.  Stop and give thanks to God for His provision and His blessing that is coming your way and remember always that GOD IS GOOD!

What are you thankful for today?