He is Still Good

A few months ago, I had the privilege of going to our church’s annual pastors gathering. There’s just something about gathering together as a spiritual family that does your heart good. During one of our prayer times, I felt like God kept putting the word “still” on my heart. Not like “be still” but “even still.” And then I got to thinking. God is God and I am not. His timing is perfect, STILL perfect... even if it doesn’t match mine. He is ever present, ever faithful, never forgetful. Sometimes I forget that last part. It’s so easy for me to think about all the things that God is… but sometimes I forget to reflect on the things that He isn’t. He is so full of grace, but sometimes I forget that it never runs out. There is no end. He is a Good Father, but sometimes I forget that He is LITERALLY incapable of being the opposite. He physically can’t do it even if He tried. It’s not in His nature. He knows my name, but sometimes I forget that He still sees me. I am currently reading through Eugene Peterson’s "Leap Over a Wall", and I highly recommend it if you’re interested in understanding more about the life of David. I was going through the chapter on David’s time in the wilderness and was awestruck at his faithfulness. He’s stuck in the wilderness running from King Saul (who is on a murderous tyrade) and he never questions God. Well, he might have at some point. He was human, after all. But he didn’t let his time in the wilderness squash all that God was doing in him and preparing him for… being the next king of Israel.

David reminds us in Psalm 57 “God delivers generous love, he makes good on his word.” (MSG)

I know what God has promised me, just like you know what He’s promised you. He hasn’t forgotten about you. David probably wasn’t crowned King in the timeframe that he expected. He probably didn’t think he would have to go through the wilderness to see God’s promises fulfilled. But sometimes we have to go through the wilderness to be refined in preparation for all that God has before us. It sure worked for David! So just like David in the wilderness, we are seen. Still known. We aren’t forgotten about. Still remembered. We are in preparation for the promises of God being fulfilled. He hasn’t left us by the wayside.

“He makes good on His word.”

Which means He can’t go back on His promises. He just can’t do it. And that’s what I choose to stand firm on today. God makes promises… and keeps them. He is good, does good, and wants good for you and me. He’s a Good Father. Still.