God is Good

I've been thinking lately, as I pray about what step I should take next and trust God about the future, that God is good.

If I really believed this, there would never be a whimper of fear or a flash of impatience or a second of doubt.

Psalm 33 talks about how the plans of the Lord stand firm forever; Romans 11 reminds us that all things are from him and to him and through him. He's the King; he has all the power. This can be a little scary; it can make me feel small and insignificant.

We must obey God; he made this plain to his people from the beginning and Paul tells us plainly that the wages of sin is death. This can be burdensome; following all of God's commands is an impossibly rigorous task.

But if God is good, we don't have to be afraid of his sovereignty -- instead we can be grateful for it. And we don't have to be burdened by the command to obey -- it becomes instead a joyful response to his goodness. God's goodness is what makes trust possible. Trust is reliance, dependence, hope, and confidence. This is completely impossible if you are not convinced of the goodness of God.

The Scriptures outline God's goodness clearly, from the overarching story of redemption to the tiny details of his providing manna for his people, giving a Persian king a willing heart to let the Israelites return to Jerusalem, and healing the woman with the issue of blood.

And I have also found it incredible to take note of the goodness of God in my own life. I love the five thankfuls habit: thinking of five specific things each day to be grateful to God for. Today's thankfuls:

• a run in the bright spring sun with Keith and Kristyn Getty music pouring words of Scripture into my heart
• reading time with Lilah this afternoon, her eager, attentive body snuggled in my lap
• great hour on the phone with Mom including a sweet and powerful prayer time
• Cole's delight in a Dana Dirksen kid's song -- there is a part where she sings, "Doo doo doo-doo-doo-doo," and he lights up and sings along with poochy lips and a happy dimple
• deep, refreshing nap (to hopefully help my body chase away a cold that's been lingering for the past days)

James tells us where these good things come from and that we don't have to be afraid that tomorrow will bring ill: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows."

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. ~ Psalm 121:7