In a Broken World, Remember, God is Good
Written by Martha Chizoba Ekpenyong
Watching all hope slip away from the world with the numerous events from terrorists’ attacks, mass shootings, a virus spreading across continents, political and racial tensions, an insurgence in Africa, natural disasters, division within families and people of same faith has been pretty depressing for me. Listening to Cece Winas’s “Goodness of God” is always an assurance and constant reminder that for as long as I give Him everything He will lead me through anything. Goodness is holiness put into practice, and this results from knowing God. He is the ultimate example of goodness.
Most times when I meditate on God’s goodness, it moves me to a better understanding of the situations I’m in and helps me respond better to our world in hope rather than fear. Remembering God’s love for us fuels our love for others. Throughout the Bible, God’s people are exhorted to place their trust in Him and join Him as he restores and redeems our world. “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us,” Romans 8:18. In all these, God’s goodness remains my assurance and conviction that He’s with us through it all, and I’m often delighted in sharing this at any given opportunity.
We live in an imperfect world that includes forces opposed to God’s original design, and not everything works out the way we wish.
We live in an imperfect world that includes forces opposed to God’s original design, and not everything works out the way we wish. Like Job, we’re called to trust God even when all the evidence seems stacked against trust. God plans a much better world someday—one without pain or evil or tears or death—kand asks for our faith in the promise of that new creation.
And then God has just one question for us: “Do you trust Me?”
He wants to hear you and I say, “Here I am Lord.” I haven’t forgotten the goodness of He who has brought me out of darkness into His marvelous Light that I might shine forth in the darkness that surrounds me. God has commissioned us as agents of intervention in the midst of a hostile and broken world. I must strive to remain focused, knowing that this helps my steadfastness and my thoughts focused on Him.
And I remember: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10).
In this hopeless and distorted world of ours, the Lord’s compassion and covenant of peace that surpasses every understanding shall continually keep us focused on Him. Our saving grace is in trusting that He’ll do as promised; therefore, we hold our peace while He fights our battles, granting us the wisdom and understanding to overcome the world until we behold Him in Glory.
Be Bold. Be Brilliant. Be You. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love (Goodness) of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” -Romans 8:38-39.
Are You?
ACTION POINTS
- Know and accept Jesus as your Savior
- Always keep your focus on God’s graciousness relentlessly
- Reflect on God’s goodness even at times it seems impossible
- Be involved where you work and live so that our good works will make others continually remember the goodness of God even as we experience the hurt and hopelessness around us
- With every conversation, be sure to ignite hope and joy, no matter the circumstances
- Remember always that His mercy and faithfulness never fails
- Meditate on His Word daily
- Be a practical instrument in God’s hand to bring solution to every area of lack or despondency
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