“Truly God is good to Israel,

    to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,

    my steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the arrogant

    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…

But for me it is good to be near God…” (Ps 73)

After a long and needed rest in the house of God we are ready to move on to higher grounds. From now on, the attacks will become more personal. The devil will send ‘a designer’ demon against each pilgrim. None can hide in the crowd. You must pass thru the fire that purifies your faith. Nobody can help. You must do it alone. Remember, it is Jesus who called us up! We are tied together with ropes of loving-kindness. Each one must be responsible and helpful, watchful and patient. The gains ahead are beyond words to describe. There shall be not only an improvement of your life as it is now, but a great change in its quality. The lesson today is this: obey the truth! Avoid the evil trap of doubt planted to make you stumble! So, let’s go!

‘What is truth?’ –asked Pilate?

The truth is this: GOD IS GOOD! ALL THE TIME!

The rich young ruler called Jesus ‘Good Teacher…’ He was rebuked for speaking words without understanding. Jesus said to him: ‘No one is good-except God alone!’ (Lk 18:18-19). We need a fresh revelation of the Person of God, the Holy Spirit, not only of His gifts! Any goodness in man comes only from God, as a proof of intimate, established and fruitful relationship.

God is good! Such a simple revelation…But it is still so hard to believe it… So many stumble…Each step up the mountain requires total trust that God is indeed a good Person. Believe that He who called you higher is always faithful and good!

The word ‘good’ in Hebrew is a very powerful, precious and active one. It means good, better and best in the same time. It also means favor, prosperity and sweet pleasure. This describes someone attractive, loyal, trustworthy, kind, skillful and fertile.

If God is so good, then why do we struggle so much in believing the truth? The first reason is that we are not yet mature spiritually. When things get hard, doubt resident in the flesh starts grumbling. In the wilderness the people of God complained again and again doubting the goodness of God. .Even Jeremiah thought that God has ‘deceived’ him into ministry. The Bible raises our expectations concerning our blessings from God. As sinners we had no hope of any inheritance from heaven. But now, we are told that we are kings and priests. We start to imagine golden palaces and exotic temples.  This is the result of a fleshly, wild and un-sanctified imagination.  For a long time we do not know how to control or restrain that. I find myself dreaming and claiming all the gold of the streets of heaven and the pearls at the gates. Then I look around and see myself in a cheap apartment I call my home on earth, I can’t put them together…I feel disappointed and start to blame God…

Another reason why we struggle to believe that God is good it is because we foolishly compare ourselves with others. We see them having a ‘better life’ than ours. It is even more painful when the wicked prosper. The word ‘prosperity’ in Hebrew is ‘Shalom’. This is one of the personal names of God. We see our enemies getting richer and stronger. They are proud, violent and loud. We feel jealous and bitter. We end up feeling betrayed by God. Without a good explanation why the ungodly prosper, we start blaming God for partiality and wickedness. The great Oswald Chambers said that ‘we are always suspicious of God’. We are addicted to doubt concerning God’s character and His hidden motives. This secret sin is like leprosy; it weakens our life, worship and commitment. When things get a little bit difficult we quickly jump at the conclusion that God does not care, that He is not fair. We tend to forget that behind this wicked stronghold of doubt is the same devil that deceived Eve long ago.

So what is the solution? It is good to draw near God!” Cultivate the presence of the Holy Spirit! Go back to the Bible! You cannot find the truth outside the Word of God. Pastors preach and elders counsel. But nothing can replace the daily quiet time, to study God’s Word! Pray always! Then come to church. Listen to the preaching of the Word. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in the sanctuary. Many have found peace within its walls. Pray about your questions. You shall see the ‘end of the wicked’…You will never envy them again!  Confront and reject your doubts! Do not spread them! Disgrace your fears! Do not boast about them! The Christian life is by faith alone. What do you lose if you believe? There are times in which you have to close your eyes and your ears. Be blind and deaf to all that is not of God. Reject gossip and tales! Be honest with God and with yourself! Draw closer to God and He will draw closer to you! Pay the price for intimacy with God. Be satisfied with your portion and inheritance in Christ! I promise you: Jesus is the best Friend you can ever have, kind and faithful, wonderful beyond description and worthy of all your trust!

In Christ I declare:

God is good to me and to my family!

All the time!

I believe 100%!

I will never doubt this truth!

In Jesus name,

Amen!