God is always good!: Finding joy in the midst of a trial.

O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.~1 Chronicles 16:34

I have no clever words, but I have a praise on my lips.  Praise the wells up from the bottom of my soul for my God and my Savior for He is good.  He is good not because every situation and circumstance has worked out just like I thought it would, but just because He is God.  He is present and true to His Word.  He can be counted on and trusted.  

You know sometimes circumstances can just be thrust upon you, or so it may seem from our perspective. And here again is why God is good.  He is good because His ways and thoughts are so far above us.  

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.-Isaiah 55:8-9

 His view and thoughts are not limited by our human thinking.  Everything and I mean everything is under His control.  Whatever test or trial that we go through is just another opportunity for us to praise God and watch Him work in us and through us.  These tests, these “Mack Trucks” that sometimes slams right into our lives unexpectedly did not catch our Father off guard. 

James 1:2-4 tells us to

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

This concept of joy during difficult times may seem foreign or unrealistic, but my joy is not in the suffering but in my good, good Father who is with me.  He is with me every step of the way so that even when chaos swarms I can feel His peace.   I rejoice in the knowledge that I can face the Goliath’s of my life because it is not I who slays them, but my Father.  I rejoice because I know for myself, not what someone told me, but my heart knows just how much He loves me. I rejoice and experience the joy of expectation for what He is going do next because my Father does great things. He does wonderful things, things planned long ago.

I serve a good God, the only God, who is intentional about His plans for me ( Jeremiah 29:11). I do not know what tomorrow holds or the next second for that matter, but I do know that God is working it out for my good.  

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.~Romans 8:28

So I give thanks to my Lord for He is good.  I thank Him for His loving kindness and His faithfulness.  I thank Him for not giving me a spirit of fear, but rather love, power and a sound mind( 2 Timothy 1:7).  I thank Him for the opportunity for Him to be glorified in my life through whatever situation and outcome that He seems fit.  I thank Him for moving me from one glory to the next.  Christ in me my hope of glory ( Colossians 1:27).

Father, I love You and I thank You.  I thank You for your sovereignty over my life and every situation and circumstance.  I thank You for another opportunity to praise You.  I thank You for opening my eyes to see beyond what is in front of me.  Thank You for your Word and love that regulates my thinking.  I thank You for You, for time in your presence. I pray that as I go through this current trial that I hold on to the joy of You and that You be lifted up and glorified.  I pray this for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Not my will Lord, but thine be done.  In Jesus name. Amen