God is Good

God has taught me a lot over the past year. One important thing He has revealed to me is about His character. I have come to realize that often the enemy's tactic isn't to make us question whether God exists, but whether or not God is good. Often we ask ourselves "If God is completely in control of everything, how can He be good if He allows such horrible things to happen?" That was a question I was trying to fully understand a few months ago. Now, don't get me wrong, I understand that I will never fully grasp all of God's character. His ways are not our ways and He is so much more than my puny little brain can comprehend. However, He was gracious enough to help me understand Him a little bit more in this regard.

God brought me to the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Due to their jealousy, Joseph's brothers threw him in a pit and were going to leave him to die, but then decided instead to sell him as a slave. The brothers lied to their father, Jacob, and told him his favorite son was dead. Joseph was treated horribly by his very own family, the ones who should have loved him the most. To make a long story short, after going through some awful circumstances, Joseph ends up being Pharaoh's number two guy and years later reunites with his brothers (who are shocked to see him alive and in such a high position). Joseph being the wonderful man of God he was understood God's character in all of this. He said to his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20) We live in a fallen world where bad things happen and people have free will to do bad things to us. BUT, God will use those things to accomplish good in our lives. Not only will he use it to accomplish good, but as we glorify Him even in our trials, others may come to know Him as Lord too. Coming to understand that was amazing for me.

Along those lines, scripture also says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) In other words, for those who give their lives to Jesus Christ and who love God, He will work ALL THINGS for good. Whoa, what a promise!

I know this is going to be a long post, but I have to add one more thing that really brought this concept home for me. If you have never read The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom--you must!! It is by far the best book I have ever read. To very briefly sum up Corrie's life, she was a Christian in Holland who, along with her family, hid Jews during the Nazis regime and saved many lives. Once caught, her and her family are taken to a concentration camp. I don't want to ruin the story for you, but I have to for my example. Sorry!! Just don't read any further if you don't want me to ruin it for you. Anyway, Corrie and her sister Betsy were extremely close. Betsy became very ill and died in the concentration camp. Corrie just could not understand how God could allow her to die, especially at a time when Corrie needed her sister the most. Not long after Betsy's death, Corrie was released from the concentration camp (which was a clerical error and all women her age were killed just weeks later!!). When being released from the concentration camp, Corrie had to know what would have happened to Betsy had she been alive. She asked them, "What about my sister?" They told Corrie her sister would remain in the camp for the duration of the war. She then asked them, "May I remain with my sister?" and their response was, "Not for a minute! Now get out!" Corrie then says this:

"I have praised and thanked my Lord for that unanswered prayer. Just imagine how it would have been if she had been healed, and would have had to stay in the hell of Ravensbruck without me. I would have returned to my homeland tormented night and day by the consciousness of her suffering. I saw God's side of the embroidery...God never makes a mistake."

While in her mind Corrie could not understand her sister's death, God had a plan and never makes a mistake. While we may not understand the trial at the time, we have a HUGE God that has a plan and a purpose. And we have to remember too, God does not promise that the life of a Christian will be wonderful all of the time. God's purpose is for us to become more like Christ. Sometimes that requires refining our character through hardships.

Before I wrap up, I have to add that the above is just a small glimpse of God's miracles and faithfulness in Corrie's life. If you want to read a real life account of God's faithfulness to the faithful--you have to read The Hiding Place!!

Thanks for reading and may God reveal to you just a bit more of Himself this week!