Friday, January 30, 2009

He is Good


Some dear friends of ours came over this week to help me with my soul. How good it is to have faithful friends. I was presented with the question: Do you believe that God is good in this very thing that you are struggling with? It's one thing to believe God will work all things out for good or what man meant for evil God will use for good. But do I believe that God, in allowing these certain hardships or unmet expectations, IS God being good to me. It's done my soul much good to meditate on this truth.

"My soul! be still! you are in the hands of your Covenant God. Were all the strange circumstances in your history the result of accident, or chance, you might well be overwhelmed. But "all things," and this thing (be what it may) which may be now disquieting you, is one of these "all things" that are so working mysteriously for your good. Trust your God! He will not deceive you—your interests are with Him in safe custody. When sight says, "All these things are against me," let faith rebuke the hasty conclusion, and say, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" How often does God hedge up your way with thorns, to elicit simple trust! How seldom can we see all things so working for our good! But it is better discipline to believe it. Oh! for faith amid frowning providences, to say, "I know that your judgments are good;" and, relying in the dark, to exclaim, "Though He slays me, yet will I trust Him!"

Blessed Jesus! to You are committed the reins of this universal empire. The same hand that was once nailed to the cross, is now wielding the scepter on the throne—"all power in heaven and in earth is given unto you." How can I doubt the wisdom, and the faithfulness, and love, of the most mysterious earthly dealing, when I know that the Roll of Providence is thus in the hands of Him who has given the mightiest pledge Omnipotence could give of His tender interest in my soul's well-being, by giving Himself for me?" John MacDuff, The Faithful Promiser

7 comments:

Heather@Cultivated Lives said...

How good to remember!

megan haughery said...

love macduff. praying for you...

Jason Hansen said...

Dear friend,
This verse has been an encouragement to me recently, I pray that it encourages you as well.
Hebrews 11:6- Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.
God is our rewarder! He even requires of us to draw near to Him believing that He has purposed to reward us! In spite of all my sin, in spite of all that I see, I can come before the Lord, by the blood of Jesus, and know that this is the character of our great God!
A simple thought. I will be praying for you!

Tara said...

Jason,
A simple but very timely word. Thank you I will share this with Chris.

Tara said...

Chris says,
"what's with the dear friend... is this like a Hebrews spam?"

Tiffany said...

Whoops! I just checked this! Hilarious! Sorry Tara, I don't always check to see if Jason has logged onto his email from this computer. Yes, this was from this "dear friend" and not from her husband!
Love, TIFF

Tara said...

LOL- I figured as much Tiff. Miss you! Thanks for the encouragement.