God Is Good
About thirteen years ago, my church had a revival. Our church had not had many revivals, but because I worked with the youth, we all went. We sat on the front row, and after the first night, we were all in! When we sat down the youth were already excited and laughing about this young, out of town, pastor who was leading revival all week. He would begin each night saying, “buckle up and hang on” because we were ”going for a ride.” Then he would start banging on the piano and leading us in a song called “God Is Good All The Time,” and we would sing it faster each time. It was such an upbeat song and just made you feel good. The last night of revival, the kids and I were so sad. I remember telling the pastor that I hoped one day he would come to our church! That young pastor was Pastor Tim Reaves, and he did not wear skinny jeans then!
Last Sunday at Pine Valley United Methodist Church, we sang "God Is Good All The Time" by Don Moen. I love that song because it reminds me of that revival. “God is good all the time. He put a song of praise in this heart of mine. God is good, yes He is, all the time. Through the darkest night, His light will shine. God is good, yes he is, God is good!” Sunday afternoon, I was thinking about my comment to Pastor Tim. Well, who would have ever thought he would be my pastor? Who would have thought the world would be like it is? God knew. And God knew the plans He had and has for me. Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Wow! He has plans to prosper me and give me hope and a future. I receive hope every time I come to church - or in this time of social distancing - every time I watch or listen to devotions or sermons.
Just singing that song Sunday morning perked me up! No matter how hard the week had been when I started singing, “God is good all the time…” I felt better! In fact, not better, I felt great! Because where there is worship, there is Light, and where there is Light, there is no darkness! I was reminding myself that God IS good ALL the time. If I sang that every hour there would be no stress because I would remember Who is in charge. Even if things were tough, I would know I was going to be okay because of Who I belong to. When I am praising God, I am reminded of all of my blessings, all of His goodness, all of His love, and it overflows me with joy! No matter our circumstances, we have to hold on to what we KNOW and not what we feel! We KNOW God IS GOOD all the time! Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Let’s look past our circumstances and see God’s goodness. He is still right there - if we don’t feel Him, it is because we moved! He will never leave us. Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” God never changes. Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Life is hard because the world is broken, but Jesus can restore brokenness. Sometimes our lives are hard because we are sinners and make bad decisions. Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus forgives us when we confess our sins. 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Sometimes life is hard because of things outside of our control. Hard times make us grow in Christ. James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Remember, Jesus is greater than every hardship and victorious over every pain. Life is hard, but God is good! Whatever this week holds, remember God is bigger and stronger than anything we will face. We can find joy in every day, not because life is good but because God is good! All the time! “Through the darkest night, His light will shine. God is good, yes he is, God is good!”