There is a popular song entitled “Goodness of God” in which the lyrics say: “I Love you Lord, For Your mercy never fails me, All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands. From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head, Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God. And All my life you have been faithful and all my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.” This song reminds me as I look back on my life, how good God has been to me over and over. He has faithfully walked with me through all of the good times and difficult times. It is good for me to look back and see how he has led me through these times.

In Psalm 145 David tells us to reflect back on our lives and think about the goodness of God. He tells us to praise God for his greatness, compassion, and faithfulness. However, sometimes you may not feel like praising God. It could be that as you look back on the last year or two of your life you may not feel like He’s been good. It may be that your life was impacted by circumstances you never anticipated. If you are feeling like this, I encourage you to look back on your life and focus on the hand of God who has provided everything you need. We are assured in God’s word that no matter the circumstances of our lives, God never leaves us. He has given us the greatest gift, his Son, Jesus. In Romans 8:32 Paul says: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” We can hold onto this promise that God will take care of us and be with us. Let’s reflect on His goodness in our lives.

By: Elton Gingerich

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Psalm 62:5-7 (ESV)

Is God alone our refuge, our mighty rock, our fortress, and salvation? Ponder these verses today to decide if God alone is all of these things for you. That means we fully rely on God, and we don’t have a backup plan, just in case God doesn’t do what we think He should. This passage certainly challenges my faith. How much do I put my trust in God? Do I wait in silence before him, and recognize that my hope is from Him?

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “No eloquence in the world is half so full of meaning as the patient silence of a child of God. It is an eminent work of grace to bring down the will and subdue the affections to such a degree, that the whole mind lies before the Lord like the sea beneath the wind, ready to be moved by every breath of his mouth, but free from all inward and self-caused emotion, as also from all power to be moved by anything other than the divine will.”

This imagery of lying before the Lord like the sea beneath the wind is powerful. Wind creates waves. That’s it, just wind. All of those millions of drops of water that make up waves don’t control where they go – the wind does that. Are you willing to be like one of those drops of water, relying solely on God to move you? God is faithful, and will guide our steps if we rely on God alone.

By: Marcus Steury