seeing god’s goodness

65 You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. 68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. 69 The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 70 their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:65-71

Sometimes it's difficult to see the good that God is doing. As I described in a previous article (December 14), my wife experienced serious difficulties when she was pregnant with our youngest son. The year before she had developed phlebitis after a cross-country plane trip with a 2-year old on her lap. A blood clot had formed near her ankle and had lodged in the abdominal area on its way to her heart. The doctor put Mary on some medicine to break down the clot and told us she shouldn't get pregnant for at least a year; otherwise she would likely be in the hospital for months.

But 3 months later we discovered that she was pregnant. We lived day to day on pins and needles, striving to make it through each week without going to the hospital. With two children under the age of 5, it was difficult for her to get the rest she needed.

The hardest day was when Mary's doctor told her that she should abort Josh. He warned that the medication she had taken to break down the clot had probably adversely affected our baby. Chances were very good that we would have a deformed child. In fact, he predicted that we would have a “little monster.” Those were his exact words. (What a bedside manner that guy had!)

So now we were not only faced with concerns for Mary's health, but with the possibility of a deformed child. God's good work (Psalm 119:68) was difficult to see. But here's the good news. Josh was born and he was perfect. He could have been disabled in some way and, yes, he still would have been a gift from God. But God was gracious to us in that Josh was born without any physical defects whatever.

Every day of the pregnancy was a challenge to trust God and to rest in his goodness. We couldn't see the outcome. We could only trust in his perfect character. God can be trusted when your circumstances look bleak. These words from God's Word sum it up best, “You are good and do good!” —Steve Farrar stevefarrar.com

seeking: O God, how have you revealed your goodness to me today? What worship have you drawn from my heart?

responding: Why is it difficult at times to see God's goodness? Where is he when tough times come? What good things has he taught me through hardships?

God, you are my God. I will trust you and seek to find good in the difficulties you allow me to endure. Teach me to praise you in spite of my circumstances.

following: God is good even when bad things happen.

our journey