NAHUM 1:7

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.

He cares for those who trust in him

TO PONDER

If you have ever doubted God's goodness, you are in good company. The Bible, particularly the Old Testament is full of people who question God's goodness. Job has a whinge, perhaps most directly in the book of Job, chapters 23 and 24. Jonah the prophet complains about God's forgiveness of the people of Nineveh, complaining that the 'just' thing to do would be to wipe them out. Many are the prayers and psalms of lament and frustration over Israel's time in exile under the Babylonians and Assyrians.

With the 20/20 vision of hindsight, we might now be able to see how God was at work through those situations, but it is another thing entirely when we are in the midst of a difficult, or unjust time of trouble.

There is a song that plays a lot on the christian radio station in Newcastle called 'Joy in the Morning', by Tauren Wells. There is a line in that song which says this...

"If it's not good, then He's done; no He's not done with it yet. There will be joy in the morning."

I wonder if this verse from Nahum was not some of the inspiration for that song. Sometimes in the midst of trouble, all we can do is remember that God is good, that he does care for those who love him and trust Him to see us through. If things do not look good, then hold onto Him because he is not done yet.

PRAYER: Lord, you are good and your mercy endures forever. When things inevitably go wrong Lord, and I feel out of control, help me to trust that nothing is ever beyond your control and that you are good and that you will see me through. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle