"Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"
Romans 2:4
A skeptic said to a Christian, "How can you believe in a good God, when you see all the terrible things happening in our world?" The man quickly replied, "I believe in the goodness of God, even when I see so many terrible things that people do." As they continued their conversation, the disagreement came to one point. The skeptic believed if there is a God, then He is responsible for everything that happens. The Christian believed that man is responsible for his actions. The Bible says, "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Darkness is a symbol for evil and sin. In God there is no darkness.
Through all the sin and evil in this world, God is at work for good. The believer can be assured that God will work in his life for good, according to a purpose. No believer is guaranteed that his life shall be free from temptation, disappointment and even tragic circumstances. Yet, he refuses to blame it on God. The man named Job is a good illustration. He was a man who trusted God, but he encountered tragedy and suffering. Through it all, he refused to blame God. He didn't understand his circumstances, but he continued to trust God. "You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord, that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful" (James 5:11).
Have you gone through some trying, painful circumstances in your life? Perhaps, you searched for answers to your difficult situation, but you found none. Cling to faith in the goodness of God. Believe in the goodness of God, even when you don't understand. Know that God is working through it all for your good according to His purpose. Hold to His word of truth. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Prayer: Father, we love You, and we believe that You are working all things together for good in our lives, according to Your purpose, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
