March 30, 2023

 God Is Good

Happy Thursday! 

Psalms 30: 19-20

The Question: God's goodness during bad or distressful times. For me the answer is a resounding yes. I love when things are perfect but I have also experience seeing his goodness in the midst of problems. The fact that he delivers us from darkness. He keeps us safe from the harm there's some things money can't do. Those moments when no one understands. The moments when you feel down and out. 

Another great example (and we know David had many) Psalms 30 David finds himself in distress. The good things are being stored up. In that moment he is not getting them but they are still there waiting for him when it comes. Just because he trusts in God during the bad times. Secondly God bestows them on you in the sight of everyone. On the other hand when David became King. His days of distress was long gone. God's goodness last forever. A bad season is just that a bad season. Just like winter has come and leaving so does unpleasant seasons and God is always good. 

How abundant are the good things

    that you have stored up for those who fear you,

that you bestow in the sight of all,

    on those who take refuge in you.

20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them

    from all human intrigues;

you keep them safe in your dwelling

    from accusing tongues.

THE DISTRESS

THE PROBLEM : Safety from the accusing tongue. Someone who says that you are the reason for an issue. God knows the true but we go through something when someone accuses us. Truth is not always evident right away. Safety from someone who wants to take your life. Off course that is real distress. 

Psalm 31

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;

    let me never be put to shame;

    deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Turn your ear to me,

    come quickly to my rescue;

be my rock of refuge,

    a strong fortress to save me.

3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,

    for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,

    for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;

    deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;

    as for me, I trust in the Lord.

7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love,

    for you saw my affliction

    and knew the anguish of my soul.

8 You have not given me into the hands of the enemy

    but have set my feet in a spacious place.

9 Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;

    my eyes grow weak with sorrow,

    my soul and body with grief.

10 My life is consumed by anguish

    and my years by groaning;

my strength fails because of my affliction,

    and my bones grow weak.

11 Because of all my enemies,

    I am the utter contempt of my neighbors

and an object of dread to my closest friends—

    those who see me on the street flee from me.

12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;

    I have become like broken pottery.

13 For I hear many whispering,

    “Terror on every side!”

They conspire against me

    and plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, Lord;

    I say, “You are my God.”

15 My times are in your hands;

    deliver me from the hands of my enemies,

    from those who pursue me.

16 Let your face shine on your servant;

    save me in your unfailing love.

17 Let me not be put to shame, Lord,

    for I have cried out to you;

but let the wicked be put to shame

    and be silent in the realm of the dead.

18 Let their lying lips be silenced,

    for with pride and contempt

    they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

19 How abundant are the good things

    that you have stored up for those who fear you,

that you bestow in the sight of all,

    on those who take refuge in you.

20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them

    from all human intrigues;

you keep them safe in your dwelling

    from accusing tongues.

21 Praise be to the Lord,

    for he showed me the wonders of his love

    when I was in a city under siege.

22 In my alarm I said,

    “I am cut off from your sight!”

Yet you heard my cry for mercy

    when I called to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all his faithful people!

    The Lord preserves those who are true to him,

    but the proud he pays back in full.

24 Be strong and take heart,

    all you who hope in the Lord.

Have a great day!