“God is good, all the time! And all the time, God is good!” This is a popular phrase among Christian circles, but what happens when you live in a place where you question God’s goodness?
I am not, personally, in a position, where I doubt that God is good. However, I have found that most often than not, some of my peers, students, or colleagues are fatigued from the perpetual sorrow caused by death, addiction, and overall destruction. I have tried to encourage them that things can be better. But, they look at me dumbfounded, wondering if this really be true. A couple times, they outright disagree, saying that nothing is ever going to change.
It’s a little disheartening. While walking through the pain that my people experience, I am finding myself restless at heart. Looking back on my own life, I have been able to see God at work in my life. I have seen how He really has taken the bad things in my life, and turned them around for good, furthermore, bringing glory to His name. However, I am discontent to see the goodness of God in my life, and yet my people are unable to see it.
In the last couple of weeks, I have been pondering on Psalms 27:13-14. I have seen a despair among my Blackfeet people, and it breaks my heart, because I long so much that they would have the assuring hope that I have. I don’t want them to be discouraged in spite of the hurts that they have had to endure. I want them to believe that the future does not have to mimic the painful past, rather, it can be the heavenly kingdom manifested upon the earth.
But what does it take to see the goodness of the Lord? We can council as much as want, lecture our youth as much as we can, and make as many laws to our heart’s desire, and yet, at this present moment, we still are despairing. There are still many wandering, searching, lost, distraught or depressed, and hopeless.
“I would have lost heart, unless I have believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait [in faith] on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” -Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV)
I decided to study this reference in its context, and in the first verse, it states, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” The psalmist, David, progressed to divulge that he had enemies waiting to devour him, was surrounded by them, and yet, he took his attention to focus on God. These enemies literally want to kill him, but he wanted to take time in God’s presence. And even when he found himself in a position that he couldn’t depend on his family (see Psalm 27:10), David was confident that God would take care of him. It was in his worship that he cried out; and it was in his worship that he hoped for the goodness of God to be revealed.
The word strength is repeated in the first and thirteenth verses, and I don’t believe it to be coincidence. There is something to focusing our attention on God, as our strength. What we focus on is our reality, and the question is, what or who do we focus on? That focus is our strength, our nourishment, and the encouragement that we hold onto as we face life in this world.
Life is not perfect. Sometimes it has its trials and temptations. And just because you believe in Jesus, doesn’t mean that your life will be perfect (see John 15:18-25). Actually, sometimes, and quite often, it can be tough. David still had an enemy who wanted him dead. He was a man after God’s own heart, and yet, he had to look over his shoulder to care for whoever might want to stab him (if you are catching my drift). Listen clearly: the devil will give hell to anyone who gives him the hell that awaits him. He will regift the trouble that is already “awarded” him, to anyone who in their prayers, is seeking the Lord’s face; who is trusting in God’s strength to fight their battles. Be encouraged! Sometimes trouble means that there is a difference being made in the spiritual realm. Let this be marked: though we be hurt and wounded, the memory of war fresh in our minds; in Jesus Christ, the victory of war has already been won. This is the goodness of the Lord that we get to look to. The enemy has been defeated.
There is a lesson from the Vietnam War. I have heard it said that the US never lost a battle, and yet, they lost the war. They lost, because their troops were called home. They lost, because, essentially, they retreated from their posts. Looking at the upfront struggles within our community, it is hard to carry on at times. We look on, wondering what we can do...and so, we get back to work, brainstorming for the right things to do to shift the atmosphere on the Rez. Or we, circumvently, retreat out of discouraged, failed efforts. We in our own strength, will not make the devil retreat from his post. However, in Christ, he has already lost.
Yet, we still pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).” Jesus not only came to save us, and force us to wait for redemption later. The gift of His sacrifice produces a grace that can transform our groaning world (see Romans 8:19-25), even now. Jesus modeled this prayer, showing us that it can become a present reality, as much as our eternal future. I think the key to seeing God’s goodness in the land of the living is seeking His face. We may be going through life, fighting battle after battle, and it seems like the devil wins every time. But we need to look to God for our strength.
In the Amplified translation, verse fourteen states, “Confidently expect the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage…” I think expecting the Lord is key to seeing His goodness. Expecting the Lord...for what? (It does sound like an incomplete sentence.) But just that. Expect the Lord. When David identified his enemies, and their pursuit for him, his primary instinct wasn’t to cry out for help or start fighting. His desire was to see his God. David took time to remember who was really in charge, and in that manner, ushered God’s presence into his present situation. And when the Light of the World invades the darkness, the plans of the enemy are confounded, confused, and ultimately overcome.
As I write this, my prayer has been that my community would turn and seek our Creator God with our whole heart. I don’t want Jesus to be an adage to our lives; I want Him to be the life of my Blackfeet people. God has never ceased to be good. He never changes, and shows no partiality. I know that He is at work. He is the God of all things; He is eternal and omnipresent. He knows our very need even before we have enough strength to utter the cries on our hearts. When we seek His face, when our focus is turned toward Him, I believe that we will be able to see His goodness, as well as open doors for His will to be manifested on earth.
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