"Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!"
Psalm 31:19 ESV
I want you to think about what I am about to say for a minute...Without affliction in our lives, there is much about God's character that we would not appreciate. In fact, one reason why God allows trials in our lives is to draw us into a closer relationship and dependence on Him. All for one reason...that we might know Him better.
A.W. Tozer defined the goodness of God as "that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men. He is tenderhearted and of quick sympathy and His unfailing attitude toward all moral beings is open, frank, and friendly. By his nature, he is inclined to bestow blessings and he takes holy pleasure in the happiness of his people."
Ceratin aspects of God's goodness are heightened against the dark backdrop that is affliction. David knew all too well what it meant to be afflicted. But as he drew closer to God, he was always reminded that God is good. I have seen that in recent days. A dear friend of mine recently suffered a major health event and while he was in emergency surgery, I witnessed the faith of his wife and daughter and heard their prayers. Not just the prayers for healing, of which you could expect, but prayers of thanksgiving during this time of affliction. Prayers that those that they come in contact with during this time of uncertainty would come to know who God is and that their situation would be used by God in such a way as to glorify His name regardless of the outcome. I still get chills when I think back and I can still hear her voice calling out, "No matter the outcome, God will be praised and He will be glorified." That is what my granddaddy would call the "using" kind of faith!
God has goodness stored up for each one of us. He doesn't forget us in our times of trial and tribulation. We may think that He is far away, but in reality, He is so close that He can hear us whisper our prayers to Him. He allows these times of trial to accomplish its full work in our lives. And as the trial does its work and we find the refuge we need in God, we experience the full assurance of His promises and His goodness.
Just like David, if you find yourself in the middle of a trial or a storm in your life, choose to see it for what it is, an opportunity to grow closer to God and to lean into His strength. We don't just endure the trial for endurance's sake, we endure to show glory and honor to God. We endure to show others Christ in our lives and to explain our hope and to show others that God and His goodness can be found in our trials.
Lord, make us all turn our trials into a trail to you. As we walk towards you, may we be open to all that You want to show us about Yourself.
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