God is Good... All the Time

God is Good... All the Time!

All the Time... God is Good!

This coming Sunday, we'll be singing "You are Good," one of my all-time favorite modern church songs. It got me thinking about where the phrase used in the chorus came from. I did some research and the best I can find is that it originated in Nigeria and Liberia in the 80's. It was particularly used by Liberian Christians during the Liberian civil war. Christians were under intense persecution. They experienced violence, hatred, and disconnection firsthand. In the midst of this very painful time in the lives of these followers of Jesus, this phrase became more than a platitude.

It's easy to declare that "God is good all the time" when things are going well in our lives. It's quite difficult when things are going down the drain. However, "God is good" must be true in the worst times if it's going to be true any time. On Monday, I did the memorial for a man barely older than me who died on Father's Day. We celebrated his life and faith while his wife wept. On Tuesday, I did the memorial for a man who died after a protracted battle with cancer. We celebrated his life and FIFTY years of service to the nation and I proclaimed to the assembled family, co-workers, and friends that "God is the true judge"...all while we mourned. Today I spent over an hour with a couple who are going through a horrifying set of circumstances. They are struggling to see God in all of this, but are choosing to have faith.

God is good all the time...

...even in death,

...even in struggle,

...even in pain,

...even in adversity.

Especially in all those times. Amen!

Songs for Sunday:

You Are Good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul6i6Kz2p2k

Come Thou Fount

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svWaaVbOQps

Won't Stop Now