God is Good? All the Time? God is Good All the Time!

Last Sunday I taught a lesson and I wasn't 100% certain I conveyed my message the way I intended.  I wrote a follow up I'd like to post here, so I can reference it in the future if needed.

I'd like to say a word about last Sunday's study. I've been thinking about what was presented, and would like to clarify a thought or two, just in case anyone misunderstood me.

Joelene made the comment about how some people toss about the phrase "God is so good!" or "God is good!" in a somewhat flippant way. I think the point Joelene was trying to make, and that I seized on and was trying to also point out, is that sometimes people use that phrase attributing goodness to God, when what they really mean is "Life is so good", or something in their life circumstances is good, at that particular moment. I don't always feel that phrase, flippantly tossed about by some, is a real acknowledgment of God's graceful provision in their lives.

We rarely hear the flippant or jovial use of "God is so good!" when we suffer trials and problems. Its at that point that many cry out to God for deliverance from our circumstance, and pray for the restoration of our life circumstances to that place of 'no more discomfort' that we expect God to provide for us. In the midst of our trials it is often difficult to see that, indeed, GOD IS GOOD, in spite of what our emotions might be telling us!

What I wanted to emphasize is that God is indeed SO GOOD that He is all about doing good for us in every circumstance! Paul makes it clear to us in his letters to the Thessalonians that I was reading today.

The most basic circumstance from which all other faith about God's goodness sprouts is that He saved us from eternal judgement and made us right with Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He saved us from eternal death. 1st Thessalonians 1:10 tells us that "Jesus, whom God raised from the dead...is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgement."

That's good news from a God who is good! That's something to always be thankful for!

But the Good News of Jesus Christ does not promise us a life of "no discomfort", as some seem to expect or desire in the Christian life, but the Good News promises God's very own power to deal with the troubles that life brings. The Good News promises us that God will use those trials to mature us and build our faith in Him.

Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 1:6 that the Thessalonians "received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you." Clearly, the church in Thessalonica was persecuted from the start, but they took joy in the message of salvation! They understood the depth and importance of what they'd been taught, and took joy from it, despite the persecution that came because of it.

But Paul knew that trials and troubles, as inevitable as they are, can bring our faith into question, if we let it. In 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4, Paul wrote that he sent Timothy to Thessalonica to "strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would come - and they did, as you well know."

Because Timothy brought back a good report from Thessalonica about the strong faith in the church, Paul wrote in chapter 3:7 that he has 'been greatly encouraged in the midst of our (own) troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith." Paul and his group were going through their own suffering, but were encouraged by the faith of the Thessalonians. That's just beautiful. Think how you've been encouraged by a dynamic believer who has been faithful and grown in their faith through a trial. It's inspiring!

Clearly, the Christian faith does not promise an escape from the trials of life, be they spiritual or physical. In fact, Jesus promised the spiritual trials would intensify through persecution.

But is God good by allowing us to go through all these trials? God makes his rain to fall on the just and the unjust alike, but.... he promises us, His children, that he will never leave us or forsake us, and we will be able to bear up under the trials because God will use them to His purpose. That is a Good God!

Consider Paul's words to the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5: "We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering."

Also, in chapter 3:5, Paul writes: "May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ."

And God will never forget us, although His timetable is not always our timetable when we look for answers to prayer.

2 Thessalonians 1:7 tells us "and God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven." Even if we can't see it right now, there will be a rest. It may be a ways off, but it will be there. Have faith.

There is hope, in even the direst circumstances, because God is always faithful to His character and to His cause. He will accomplish His plans, and use even the worst trials to strengthen our faith, if we trust Him.

James 1:2-4 states it in classic terms: " Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

That is great news to hear when I'm going through tough circumstances - God is using it to grow my faith. He leaves nothing wasted. That is a Good God! He may not provide the miracle I expect or desire, but He is faithful and to stand by my and go through it with me. He will use my endurance to grow my faith.

So, my point was not to discourage people from being pleased and joyful in the Lord, especially in good times! Consider those good times a blessing, and pass the blessing along to others! When God fills our coffers, He is indeed good! He wants us to bless others with what God has blessed us with! When we experience times of comfort and plenty, of course "God is so good!" Indeed, He is very good! Use those times to be the sacrificial servants of others, giving to those in need, supporting those who need help, loving others and comforting them from the strength God has given you during your time of plenty! And in all you do, give thanks to God and tell others of his goodness, remembering what the true basis of His goodness is, his Love for us and the wonderful salvation provided us by his grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.

But when tough times come, remember, THAT SAME GOD is still good! He is still looking out for your good, wanting to build your faith and your endurance, but to (I believe) above all advance His kingdom through what is going on in your life.

Don't lose heart when God does not appear to answer prayers in the way we expect. Stay strong in the Spirit, grounded in God's word, and committed to advancing His kingdom by loving God with all your heart, all you mind, all your soul, and all your strength, and loving others as as we love ourselves.

Remember, we serve Him. He doesn't serve us.

Saving Steve While Trying Not To Get Wet

Something happened to me today that really shed some light on just how much our 'human nature' fights against our Kingdom desires in this world.

I helped a homeless person today. 

Ok, I know, big whoop, but I do have a point I want to make.

I had just finished getting gas at Safeway when I saw a guy in the parking lot who had tripped over one of the concrete curbs and fell backwards into some bushes.  It was raining out, and as I drove by, I saw he was sort of struggling unsuccessfully to sit up on the curb. He was kind of leaned over to his side, one leg up in the air some to try to gain balance and sit up straight.  From his hair-do to his clothing to the ruddy alcohol soaked shade of skin on his face, he looked like a local homeless type.

I drove by then did a u-turn in the parking lot.  By the time I'd gotten to him (turns out his name is Steve), another young man was talking to Steve, asking if he was OK.  Steve was jovial enough, not angry at all, telling us he was fine. He smelled like a brewery, so part of Steve's problem was clear enough.  

The young man and I got Steve to his feet, where he pulled out some paperwork (discharge papers from a hospital) and told us he was just trying to get home to North Highlands - quite a jaunt from where I was at Madison and Dewey. The young man and I talked to Steve for a moment, getting him steady on his feet.  The young man got Steve a bottle of water (Steve chuckled and asked if we had any beer), then the young man told me he had to go - his kid was in the truck waiting for him. I said I'd take care of Steve, and the young man left, pointing his finger skyward and telling Steve to "hang in there".  The young man was a Christian, and I was grateful for that. 

Another young man with several tattoos came by to see if I needed any help with Steve, and stood by with me while we talked for a couple of minutes.  Soon the fire trucks arrived (someone must have called 911 when Steve fell), and the firemen took over from there, coaxing Steve into the ambulance for a ride back to the hospital to look at the scrape on his head he got when he fell. One of the fireman told me they knew Steve very well,  and that they'd taken him to the hospital many a time. The tattooed fellow gave Steve about 5 bucks for the bus ride home when he left the hospital. Once in the ambulance, I told Steve to take care, and went on my way to visit my dad for breakfast.

Good deed, right? Yea for me, reaching out to the poor, stopping to help the lost and less fortunate, etc etc.... 

Whatever.  

Do you know what my first reaction was as I drove by?    

(Keep going. Don't stop.)  

That's right.  

(Don't stop.)  

(He'll be fine.)  

(He's grungy and dirty.)  

(He's scary looking.)  

(His hair is a mess and he has horrible skin.)  

(Its wet outside, and you knew he's going to smell bad.) 

(You're gonna be late to your dad's house.)  

Get this, and I'm being honest here: it even flit through my mind, quick as a hummingbird, that -  

(Maybe he likes the rain.  Yeah, he's sitting on the curb in the Safeway parking lot, trying desperately to sit up, because he likes sitting in the rain.)

The reason I bring this up isn't to have anyone encourage me with "but you helped him!" or to be consoled by hearing "it's only natural to be afraid" or whatever.  That's not the point.  I'm glad I was obedient and stopped to help, and I pray Steve will be OK, and that God would have someone to help him in the future if he needs it.  

I'm amazed, though, at just how quickly my "old self" asserted itself.  The selfish thoughts came so quickly.  The "you don't need to do anything" or "someone else will take care of it" thoughts flooded my mind so suddenly and so naturally.

This made me think of Paul's admonition in Romans 8:7, where he says, "the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will." 

It took a thoughtful act of the will for me to turn my car around, and thank God the other young man had already started to check on Steve, because he gave me encouragement to get out and help, too. 

More and more I'm learning that to follow Christ is a day by day, indeed often moment by moment, decision to yield to Him and follow him. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me."

Much like a good marriage (where we make constant choices to honor our spouses and do what pleases and is good for them), we make daily, constant choices to honor Christ and do what pleases Him and is good for His glory.

I find "dying to self" to be much harder than anyone told me it would be.  I'm hoping this is one of those things where we say - if it's not hard, it's not worth doing, right?