Is God really being good to me?
You know the feeling. When things are going along pretty well, suddenly that sneaky fear pipes up and says, “When is the next shoe going to drop? It can’t go along nicely forever. Something bad is just around the corner.” Indeed, as long as we live in a broken world, something bad might be coming. But do we dread it, cowering in fear as we anticipate the worst? Or do we get our head around the goodness of God? Do we dare to trust a good God with our bad circumstances? Believing he has a good plan for us, do we bow in childlike trust that he has our best in mind and will be right beside us no matter what? Or do we secretly feel that God is kind of mean?

King David is our role model for trusting God through the good and the bad.  How could King David testify that God was good to him when his brothers wrongfully accused him …when he had to wait years to be recognized as king. . . when he had to run for his life and hide in caves with only a ragtag band of men to protect him from an army bent on his destruction. . . when his wife ridiculed him for his enthusiastic worship.  How could he declare that God is kind, good, and merciful?

“How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!” Psalm 116:5

How could he claim that God was good when his own son betrayed him and usurped his kingdom. . . when another son killed his brother for raping their sister. . .when he himself committed adultery and murder!  Yet he testified that God is good, forgiving, and loving.

“O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.” Psalm 86:5

When his infant son died … when those close to him jumped ship and joined the opposition.  How was God being good to him during all those calamities and failings?!  Still, David affirmed that God is good and does good.

“You are good, and what you do is good . . .” Psalm 119:68

In his old age, one of his sons tried to become the new king against aged King David’s wishes. In the middle of this scandal, David testified that God had delivered him from every one of his troubles throughout his lifetime.  And he moved forward in decisive action following God’s will.

“As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me.“ 1 Kings 1:30  [The word trouble can be translated distress, anguish, or calamity. Certainly King David had his share!]

And now, at the end of his life, he was giving credit to the Lord, and accomplishing the thing he had promised to do- passing the torch to the son God had chosen to be king after him.

“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:5

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6

We can see God’s goodness not only in what we call good circumstances. But even in our troubles, our distresses, and our anguish we still see his goodness. Our suffering isn’t random or meaningless. God allows it and turns it for our good. In the shadows, his mercy shines. In our pain, the Comforter comes close.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8

Satan loves to kick us when we’re down. When we’re sick, he smells fear like a vulture smells a carcass. “You don’t know what’s wrong.  This might be serious. What if you’re going to die a painful death? Maybe you won’t be strong enough to keep your faith. It doesn’t look like God is being very good to you. Why would he let you hurt?”  But, along with David, we can trust that God is good and compassionate.

“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” Psalm 145:9

When a family member disappoints us, Satan whispers, “They’ll never change. It’ll just get worse from here. All your investment in them was for naught. What an embarrassment they are. Shouldn’t God keep them from wrecking their life?” Yet, like David, we can affirm that God is still good and he won’t let us down.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1

When someone we love dies young, Satan is quick to tempt us. “Why did God take them before they had a chance to finish a normal lifetime? How will you get along without them? This is unfair! What kind of God does this?”  Still, we can proclaim with David that all God does is right and good because he is trustworthy.

“All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy.” Psalm 11:7

When someone we love suffers a long time before their death, Satan sneers, “Why doesn’t God take them out of their misery. It’s hard on them and you. This is pointless. God must not care or he’s cruel.” Yet, with a heart of faith like David’s we declare that God is in charge and he gives good gifts to us.

I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.” Psalm 16:2

“How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.” Psalm 31:19

Every time we are tempted to doubt God’s goodness we can go to the Bible and take courage from those who trusted him in every trouble and found him loving, kind, and good.