The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. (Nah. 1:7)
Our childhood mealtime prayer often began, “God is great! God is good!” It is important that we firmly believe God is both great and good. Greatness speaks of his position, power, and authority. Goodness speaks of his grace, love, and providential care. He is great, so we can trust in his ability to care for us. He is good, so we can be assured that he cares about our well-being in times of trouble. We can be assured that he is our refuge—he is our help.
The question is not whether God can do anything about the trouble I am experiencing. He is great. The more important question is whether he cares about the trouble I am experiencing. If he can do something but doesn’t care, I am no better off than if he were unable to give help. And he does care, for he is good.
When God prescribed the building of the ark of the covenant, he said that the covering of the ark should have angels with outstretched wings that would form the “mercy seat.” And he said it would be there that he would meet with his people—at the mercy seat. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16). God cares.
Trust him with all your heart . . . and with all your troubles.
Ken Heer was an ordained minister with The Wesleyan Church prior to his death. He served as a pastor, educator, and church leader for more than fifty years.
© 2023 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
