“God is good!” I hear that phrase and see it on Facebook often. It almost always follows a report of some kind of blessing. We got some much needed rain today. My friend got a good report from the doctor. I got the job. My kids made the trip safely. We baptized three people at church today.
I love hearing good news! And I love it when people publicly acknowledge the truth of James 1:17—“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
I know it bothers some cynics when a successful public figure says, “I just want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” It even bothers some Christ-followers when someone says that who has made some, shall we say, less than Christ-honoring choices.
It doesn’t bother me. I love Jesus and anytime He is thanked publicly is a good thing, as far as I am concerned.
But there’s something that is often missing in our public declarations. I’d like to hear the loser say, “I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me the ability to compete.” I’d like to see all of us acknowledge this incredible truth, even in the midst of the worst days and worst news of our lives: He’s still good.
In the past few days, several of my preacher friends have had reason to question the goodness of God. One lost his wife in a tragic automobile accident. Another’s wife is going through chemotherapy and is suffering terribly. Another’s wife fell and broke her hip. Another had back surgery and is looking at a long period of time before he can return to ministry. Another lost his sister. Another lost his mom.
What do these have in common? They are all preachers—those who are in the business of telling people in times of struggle that God is still good. It is easy to say to others, but do we really mean it?
The other things all these men have in common is that they are all members of the human race and live in a broken world where terrible things happen. People get bad reports from the doctor. Loved ones don’t make it. Trips are not negotiated safely. Jobs and relationships are lost.
Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) You. Will. Have. Trouble.
One of my deeply grieving friends wrote this: “Remember, the gospel is just as true today as it was yesterday morning. When Jesus stepped out of the grave it was a statement and a promise — he had overcome, and he promised the same for all who would own such a humble King. Cry. Be mad. Grieve. But NEVER be hopeless. Jesus wasn’t for nothin’.”
Jesus: He’s still good. He’s still God. Our lives still matter to Him.
