Goodness

Psalms 103:1-5 (HCSB)- My soul, praise the Lord, and do not forget all His benefits.

He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the Pit; He crowns you with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies you with GOODNESS; your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Often I have heard people say, "How good God is! We prayed that it would not rain for our church picnic, and look at the lovely weather!'" Yes, God is good when He sends good weather. But God was also good when He allowed my sister, Betsie, to starve to death before my eyes in a German concentration camp. I remember one occasion when I was very discouraged there. Everything around us was dark, and there was darkness in my heart. I remember telling Betsie that I thought God had forgotten us. "No, Corrie," said Betsie, "He has not forgotten us. Remember His Word: 'For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him.'" Corrie concludes, "There is an ocean of God's love available--there is plenty for everyone. May God grant you never to doubt that victorious love--whatever the circumstances."

Corrie Ten Boom.

It is difficult sometimes to read a story like Corrie's and not battle with the question of, “Where is God's goodness in the midst of circumstances like that?”.  Why would He allow someone who loves Him to go through those circumstances and die like that?  It is hard for us because we do not see the bigger picture that God sees, and we do not know the other side that He knows.  What we can rest in is the peace of knowing God is GOOD, and He is always working in the midst of a fallen and broken world.  His goodness is not about what He allows us to go through or not to go through, but about the fact that He never leaves us or forsakes us in the midst of all that life brings.

Scott Forsythe