I was studying Hebrew in Israel when another student arrived somewhat unexpectedly without a place to stay.
We were in a conundrum. He was present for the course but did not have a place to stay. Lodging at a price a student can afford can be difficult to find, especially on short notice.
I made phone call after phone call while scouring the internet for potential lodging. Finally, a hostel at the right price was located with an open space.
I joyously called one of the others who was searching for lodging and exclaimed, “God is good, we found a place.”
He wisely and truthfully replied in Hebrew, “Every day, God is good.”
Those familiar words struck me. The familiarity was shattered by hearing the same truth spoken in a different language.
The point was that God is good, regardless of how things are going. He is good, always. Not just when lodging is found and plans come together favorably.
How often I forget God’s goodness when things don’t seem as good.
The refrain, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever” occurs repeatedly throughout the Psalms[1]. In many of these Psalms, the nation of Israel is exhorted to give thanks upon remembrance of God’s previous deeds on their behalf.
Psalm 106 recounts God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, Israel’s idolatry and unfaithfulness, the Lord’s judgment via Israel’s enemies, and the Lord’s mercy when they cried out. It concludes with a petition to the Lord to gather Israel from the nations that they may give thanks to His holy name.
In times of darkness, it is appropriate to recall God’s former acts of deliverance, both in Scripture and in our personal lives. Such history reminds us of God’s loving kindness. In rehearsing the history of God’s goodness, we are reminded that He has been good, even when He brought judgment and that He is good. Remembering God’s acts of goodness counters the idolatrous tendency of our hearts.
Take time to remember God’s goodness, even when things don’t seem good.
[1] see Psalm 106:1,107:1, 118:1,29, 136:1. The same theme occurs in numerous other places.