Trust His Goodness

Growing up, my mom kept a little journal where she wrote down cute and funny things we said and did.  Once grown, she read to us from it once in a while.  Though they were rarely significant events, they always brought on a good laugh.  

On one occasion she wrote of a younger sibling that absolutely despised doctor visits.  Every single time my mom and sibling stepped foot into the doctor’s office, she became restless.  She put on a sour, tearful face, looked directly in the doctor’s eyes, and said “Bad doctor!” 

Now obviously the doctor always only had the best intentions in mind.  But because they didn’t appear pleasant to her at the time, she was convinced they were out to harm her.  

It took much time for her to grow and come to recognize otherwise.   

In the same way, regardless of the circumstance, God’s intentions are always for our greater good.  

And with time, we learn to recognize every single event and new set of circumstances as indeed good for us.

Hezekiah was an Old Testament king of Israel.  He had his ups and his downs.  But for the most part, Hezekiah honored God throughout his reign.  

On one occasion the prophet Isaiah comes to Hezekiah with a word from the Lord. 

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD Almighty:

The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.

And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

To which Hezekiah responds…

The word of the LORD you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. (Isa. 39:5-8 NIV)

As horrible as that verdict sounded, Hezekiah submitted and trusted God’s goodness in it all.  No matter how ugly or difficult your current circumstance may appear, trust God’s good intentions. 

 

 

Supporting Text

 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. (Ro. 8:28 NIV)

Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. (Mark 10:18 NIV)