God is Good!

 

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:1-5 ESV).

 

I remember the first time I was involved in a worship service where the pastor rose to the pulpit and said, “God is good!” The congregation in unison responded, “All the time.” The pastor then nearly sang, “All the time!” And the congregation responded in harmony, “God is good!” I was the scheduled preacher that day and after that incredible expression of worship, it was the easiest sermon I’ve ever preached!

 

The key to living a life free of anxiety and stress is in this simple declaration of truth. I am often a little surprised by folks who sing the praise of the grace of God during the good times of life and bemoan the “absence” of God during the trials of life. Recently one of the folks I regularly visit with remarked how great God was in her life right now. She has indeed gone through many difficult times in her life. She has struggled with the “divers temptations” (cf. James 1:2 KJV) in nearly every area of life over the last two years. Things have turned the corner for her and the peace and joy she is experiencing brought her to declare her feeling overwhelmed by the presence and grace of God. Her joy was palpable. In my most serious deadpan face, I lowered my voice and said, “And, that’s the problem.”

 

It is a problem for all of us. We tend to be full of joy and praise for God when life is easy; and, we tend to feel abandoned and grieved when life is hard. I am reminded that Jesus said: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV). Our expectation in life ought to be “hard.” Life is at best difficult all too often. It is meant to be that way as a reminder that this is not our home. We are pilgrims passing through this sinful world to our heavenly home secured by the work of grace in Jesus. But, there is another principle to remember. During our trials it is not God who has changed; it is we who have changed. The key then becomes being intentional about our continual relationship with our good God. God is good! All the Time!