Our God is a good God!

"My God is a good God, yes He is, My God is a good God, yes He is!

This afternoon this little chorus came to mind, and I sang out loud to God, remembering this amazing truth.

"He picked me up and He turned me around and He set my feet on solid ground.

My God is a good God, yes He is, My God is a good God, yes He is."

Life is hard, we all know that.  If my own life isn´t challenging enough, I look around, read the news and ache for the suffering in so many hearts and homes.  It is hard to believe and live life based on believing God is a good God. My emotions come and go, like the ebb and flow of the ocean tides.  Sometimes I´m up excited about life and what God is doing.  However, all too often I´m frustrated, discouraged and weighed down under a cloud of anxiety and doubt.  My circumstances may not be so difficult, but frustrations with my commitment to the Lord, of trying to “perform” for others and living up to what I think God expects of me, bring discouragement.  I struggle with anxiety, living one day at a time.  I desire to let go and let His pace envelope me, not condemn myself for being a "lousy" Christian.  Last week Pastor Armando spoke to our little group out at Camp. It is a walk of faith, he reminded us.  He shared with us about his own faith crises and how God spoke to him. 

"Jesus said the gates of hell cannot prevail against His church, The Lord showed me that who am I to think I can damage His kingdom work?" 

God is sovereign and works through us, and sometimes in spite of us.  Our critics claim we depend on a crutch, that this faith business is ridiculous.  Is it?  The alternative of not having faith is worse.  Many Bible passages leap out at me.  Studying God´s word brings comfort, challenge and encouragement. 

Abide in Jesus; He is the true vine…  Nothing can separate me form His love...for a time you will have sorrow, but your sorrow will be turned to joy...we are to expect persecution and suffering (ouch, that does scare me!) yet the Counselor, the Holy Spirit will come to you and help you, show the way to keep your form stumbling. (Gospel of John chapters 14, 15,16)

More than anything, I want to beware of a "dangerous loss of memory".  That's where the Israelites failed miserably. They “tested God, complained, did not believe, rebelled, spoke against God, did not trust, did not believe, were unfaithful, tempted, limited, provoked..." (Psalm 78)  In spite of this, God was roused to compassion, misericordia, freed them from their oppressors, forgiving their sins, not just once, but time and again.

Jesus calls us His friends, if we obey His commandments.  May my Lord give me the strength to obey.  "Looking back and thanking God for past blessings can equip us to face the future with confidence...we should trust God, remembering His deeds and thus leading us to obedience."(Encounter with God devotional by Scripture Union).

These past couple weeks I´ve been anxious, worrying about the future and doubting God will continue to supply all my needs. It is hard for me to trust God and have faith in this area.  As I was praying, I thought of the silly mutts we have in our house.  They are always anxious for meal times, often begging well before it is time.  What if one of them was to look at the bag of dog food and think,

 “It looks like food is getting kind of low.  I hope our owners remember to get more.  What if we run out?  Will we go hungry?  Oh my, I sure hope they buy more soon!”

Pecas in particular was fond of eating everything and anything in sight.  Since we rescued her form the street many years ago, she never lost the habit of eating garbage, like she was never convinced the next meal would really come along.  Don´t I act like that when I worry about God´s provision for the future?  Of course we always make sure our four legged friends have enough to eat, sometimes too much!   Jesus reminds us that if we, being imperfect, know how to give good gifts to our children (or pets!), our Heavenly Father will certainly give good things to those who ask Him.  He also tells us not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6)

I decided to make a list of all His blessings over recent months, years.

1. My bills are paid and I´m not in debt.

2. There is food in the house, I´ve never gone hungry due to lack of funds.

3. Full tank of gas in truck.  God has kept this vehicle running in spite of; robbery, major engine overhaul, various repairs many, many trips and lots of kilometers racked up!

4. I am in good health and thankful for insurance that covers wellness visits.

5.  I share a lovely home with two precious sisters in the faith (and our dogs!).

6. God has always provided my needs, and many of my wants.

7. "Let not your hearts be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 6)

8. I have a godly heritage in both my parents, and a brother and his family who faithfully serve the Lord.

9." Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you." (I Peter 5:7)

10. “My God will supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory." (Philippians 4:19)

11. I´m privileged to be part of two countries and have friends around the world.

12. For over twenty years I have been in full time Christian service.  God has kept and preserved me through many challenges and joys.

13. I live in a place that allows freedom of worship without fear of being killed or hauled off to jail.

14.  God´s grace is greater than all my sins!

15.  I can talk to God anywhere, anytime about anything and be sure He hears and will respond.

The list could go on, and on.  When I learn to focus on one day at a time, count my blessings and leave the future to Him, peace comes. I still ache for those suffering and wonder when God´s promises don´t seem to be fulfilled.  Through prayer, persistent prayer, I am thankful we can come into God´s presence, trusting Him to work in others’ lives.  Now, instead of worrying, I am excited to see how God will provide for me and those for whom I pray.  We do walk by faith, not by sight.  Yet God sometimes graciously does give sight, so we can see Him at work and be encouraged, praising and glorifying His name.

Indeed, God is a good God, yes He is!