"The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him." Nahum 1:7
Is God only good when our circumstances are? On the contrary, He is good always. It is impossible for God’s character to change who He is. His character doesn’t change with our trials, but ours does. Therefore, it is because of His goodness that life’s circumstances can be used to make us more into the image of Christ. Jesus: Who knew great suffering and pain. Who withstood temptation and trial and attack. Who fully operated in grace, humility, love, patience, service, and sacrifice. Is not the goal to be made more like Him?
Was God no longer good when Jesus hung on the cross? Absolutely not! The cross was a display of His goodness. It was His goodness that led Him there and it was His love that kept Him there. So our hardships and afflictions are not for our destruction but rather for the reconstruction of our minds and hearts to the point of complete transformation. It’s because of Him that we are able to find strength in the most trying of times and stand firm in the faith. May we look to Him all the more, and not our own ability or capacity, during seasons of pain, hardship, or difficulty.
May we have eyes that look for His goodness even in the midst of hardship, sorrow, and suffering. May we have hearts that receive His love and His transformation. May we have ears that hear Him speaking enocuragement, truth, wisdom, hope, guidance, understanding, revelation, comfort, peace, and joy to and over us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Instead of running from Him in times of difficulty, may we be humbled to know that we need Him. Like a child in desperation of being swooped up by a loving parent, let's run full speed toward His open arms. He is good. He does good. He desires to work all things for good in your life.
"David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God" 1 Samuel 30:6
"How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men! You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues." Psalm 31:19–20
"O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"
Psalm 34:8