He is good.
Are you carrying a heavy weight on your shoulders today? Worries, fears, and anxieties tend to build up like a 60Ib military rucksack. The dead weight can crash down onto our hearts in the morning and smack us in the brain at evening.
Perhaps the burgeoning news of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has led you into downright panic?
You can feel your heart beating out of your chest.
Maybe you have a job situation unraveling before your eyes or a relationship spinning apart like a cheap, rickety carnival ride?
Did that final exam not go as planned?
The interview not pan out?
A tax bill tallied up way higher than you thought it would?
The car repair cost more than expected…and didn’t solve the problem?
Perhaps all your attempts to de-stress have only added to the exhaustion?
Let’s pause and remember this ancient yet ever-true poem:
“From my distress I called upon the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me in a large place. The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? (Psa. 118:5-6)
From what foundation of faith did the poet experience this reality? From the twin, rock-solid footings of God’s goodness and God’s lovingkindness. In biblical Hebrew, tov (“good”) describes not a subjective opinion (e.g. “I think McDonald’s french fries are good”), but an objective truth that God, in the essence of His person and in the substance of every action, is always and forever good. Everyone is invited to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psa. 34:8). Chesed (“loyal, steadfast love”) proclaims the faithful, always-trustworthy, never-quitting nature of God’s covenant with His children. He’ll never throw in the towel. He won’t walk out on the relationship. He will never slam the door in your face.
Yet the best news is that these foundation footings are forever. Here’s how the song began:
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (Psa. 118:1)
God’s love is unceasing and unstoppable. Your failures won’t stop God from loving you. Your circumstances can’t keep God’s love from touching you.
So let’s sing it!
“Oh let those who revere the LORD say, ‘His lovingkindness is everlasting.'” (Psa. 118:4) Vocalize your stressors and worries to God, yes. But don’t stop there. Resolve then to say and sing the truth that will resound from God’s heart toward yours: He is good.
Join-in with this anthem:
In God’s Vineyard,
