The question itself is framed up to be one that implies that the person asking is enjoying his/her life or at least his/her temporal circumstances. Do circumstances dictate whether we feel that God is good to us? Or do we relish in the fact that God has given us each new day to breathe in and out, to experience life, and to carry out His ultimate purpose, which is to 1) Worship Him, 2) Nurture Believers, and 3) Evangelize the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the unbelieving world?
Could it be that there are some people who question God's goodness? There clearly are those that doubt God's very existence. Even so, we are reminded in Psalm 53:1 that "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" Excluding atheists for a moment, are there people that feel that God is out to get them? Do they live each day as if God is going to punish them yet again for their sins? Do they feel that they have a little "black cloud" that is notoriously hanging over them ready to rain on their every potentially good outcome in life? Maybe life circumstances have gotten some people down. Certainly there are some temporary setbacks that legitimately will cause people to mourn, question, and/or regroup.
Could it be that any black clouds we cook up or circumstances that may not have gone our way are really just a way we attempt to rationalize ("rational lies") that God isn't good? Maybe we are simply looking at the glass half empty instead of half full. Maybe the question we should be asking is, "Why is God good to me at all?" Think about it. You and I are both rotten, no good, sinners who have turned our backs on God and lived our lives according to our wills and not His. Before we repented of our sins and accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we were enemies of God. Romans 8:7 tells us that ". . . the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
What is it that brings you joy? For me, it used to be gaining respect from my colleagues and family. Making enough money to pay all the bills and have some left over to enjoy some nights on the town were part of that equation. But what happens when a layoff happens? Not only does the money supply dry up rather quickly, but we can lose tremendous respect from people even when the events were not of our own making. Life can change directions quickly, and if we root our joy in worldly things, we can lose that joy as quickly as we attain it.
We should place our joy in the unchangeable. Our joy should be in the goodness of God and the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us. Individually we should say, "God, thank you for giving to me even when I was your enemy. I have rejected your will, ignored your sacrifice, and taken for granted your goodness. Please forgive me. Each day when I wake up, I will praise your name for giving me another day on this earth to live. Each meal I eat, I will praise your name for filling my stomach with food. Each time it rains, I will praise your name for sending water for me to drink and for my trees, plants, flowers, and grass to be refreshed. Whenever I need to get somewhere, I will praise your name for the transportation that you've afforded me. Whenever I'm sick, I'll praise your name for the doctors that I can visit to help me to feel better. Whenever I'm cold, I'll praise your name for the warmth of a home and a heater. Whenever I'm hot, I'll praise your name for air conditioning. Regardless of circumstances or situations, as Psalm 86:12 states, 'I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.'"
God is the source of goodness. Every good gift comes from God. If you have ever received anything good in your life, consider it a gift from God. God owes you nothing, and you owe Him everything. If you have that correct perspective, you will find joy in most everything. We are also commanded to "be joyful always" in 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
However, you cannot possibly have joy and peace outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is your only hope for salvation. Without Him, you and I are doomed and can have no real joy. If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please repent of all your sins and trust in Him today, right now. If you have any questions about starting a relationship with Jesus, please feel free to contact me.
My prayer for you my brother/sister is this: Romans 15:13.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
2 comments:
As Paul said so often, we must find contentment in Christ and not in the things of this world. Remember as an early teen wanting to be 16? You knew that you'd be happy when you got your driver's license. Then remember when you wanted to be out on your own away from mom and dad? Then it was I'll be happy when I'm married. Then it was, I'll be happy when I change jobs. Then I will finally be happy when I have children. And it goes on and on. I agree with Tony, find joy now and for always with Christ. No, your problems will not go away, but you'll have a new hope; an eternal hope in Christ Jesus.
Thank you so much for sharing this article.I really appreciate it.God gives us good things first and foremost to reveal his own goodness and have us respond in worship and adoration. From that place of worship, we are to use what we have been given to extend his Kingdom and glory throughout the world.
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