The Goodness of God
Back in July, I wrote about my cancer’s comeback. Radiation therapy didn’t stop it. It’s now in other places. Only one treatment option remains, and it’s a Hail Mary pass. Lots of people are praying for us, asking for a miracle.
When praying for a miracle, it’s easy to get desperate and pray things like . . . “Why, God? Why is this happening to Regi? Aren’t you all good, all the time?”
But that’s the wrong question.
The real question is this . . . “God, do you love me? Do you love Regi?”
And the answer? It’s a resounding, “Yes.” He’s demonstrated His love for me thousands and thousands of times. That question has been answered.
When we ask the question of God’s goodness, we put ourselves in the role of judge. We’re putting ourselves in the judgment seat at the head of the courtroom, evaluating God’s performance compared to our idea of what’s good and what’s not. Taken out of context, lots of things don’t look or feel good in the moment. The best dad in the world has to discipline his kid. If you happen to be outside a restaurant and you see a dad kneeling in front of his son giving him a stern talking to, you might think, “Oh, that’s not good. He shouldn’t be speaking that way to that sweet little boy. Look how scared he is!” But you’re judging the goodness of a man whose love requires more of him than what you might perceive as good.
But that dad loves his son. And that love gives the dad freedom. He can give his son wonderful gifts, and he can protect him from painful and dangerous things. He can also allow him to suffer the natural consequences of his behavior and this fallen world. The perfect father doesn’t give his boy Aladdin’s lamp so he can get whatever he wants and escape all pain. He loves his son and does whatever love requires of him in the moment.
Like many others, I believe God is good. All the time. But it’s more important for me to remember how much He loves me. How He’s demonstrated His love for me so consistently over the years. From my salvation experience, through raising kids, taking care of parents, early-stage churches and ministries, business endeavors, and yes, a few health challenges, God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit have always loved me and been right there with me. Whether events are “good” is not for me to decide, nor does it matter. I just know they occur.
It’s more important to know that I’m loved and never alone.
And neither are you.
Scripture: Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)
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Responses (9)
God is good, all the time!
This is one post I’ll keep permanently. Thank you, Regi, for sharing this.
Thank you Regi for your clear focus on the love of God and the goodness of God.
I have you on my prayer list!
There is something deep inside of me which makes me believe he does not love me the way you say he loves you. At the same time, I know what Paul is saying is true and what you are saying is true. Paul, a murderer and persecutor and judge, is clearly overwhelmed by the love Jesus has for him. Pretty amazing that kind of love. I pray today that I will simply receive the love Jesus has for me and bury the liar that lies deep within my flesh.
Grateful for your faithfulness and ministry, Regi. Praying for you.
Thank you for teaching me how to walk through adversity.
Regi,
Just want you to know Harry & i are praying for you & think of you & Miriam often. We love you guys!
Sure do enjoy reading your post & this one is especially special in reminding me of God’s love. Really needed this timely reminder.
We lift you up to our Heavenly Father & ask in His Holy name to bring healing to your body. Jesus is our Great Physician and we claim His tender mercy & love for you.
Regi you have been a hero to me and many other men in our Church. You have paved the way for many of us in our journey with Christ. You are such a great, forgiving, and humble man in all that you have done for so many, you exemplify the life of Jesus Christ by constantly reaching out to help everyone. You are in the thoughts and prayers of so many and we all have faith in Christ as he always has the answers.
God does love us and he has demonstrated that loveby giving us Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8). However, we should also realize that God’s love estends to all of the challenges that we face, even cancer. God has shown himself as our healer in the OT and especially through Jesus Christ. Remember that Jesus is the express image of God (Hebrews 1:3) and if you’ve seen jesus, you’ve seen the Father (John 14:9).
Keep in mind that everyone who went to Jesus for healing received it. He never told anyone that they had to bear their sickness or that it was for some greater purpose. We can go to the Father (in Jesus’ name, i.e., his authority) and receive what God has promised us, which is healing in this case.
Pursue that healing from God in your case. Yes he loves you. He loves you so much that he has provided a whole lot for you, which i’m sure you know. Pursue the Father for it. I’m not saying it will be easy or that I have some great knowledge and experience here. I’m learning and going through things myself. However, what I am convinced of is what the Bible has revealed to us, as I’m sure you know. Ps 103 tells us that God forgives us of all of our sins AND heals us from all diseases. Pursue it over and above the doctors.
Jesus cried when his friend Lazarus died. Imagine that? Especially when he knew he could raise him up, which he did. he has compassion for us all. Pursue God’s love for you in the healing of your body. The Holy Spirit that is in you has giives life to your MORTAL body (Romans 8:11).
I just wanted to encourage you to fight to receive from God what he has already provided for you. Most of us (including myself) don’t know how to receive because we aren’t taught how to receive. People all over the world, especially in third-world countries, learn to receive the word of God because they have no choice. They either get healed or die. We (including myself) have options that gradually pull away from a trust in God the way Proverbs 3:5-6 describes it.
Anyway. wanted to encourage you and to push you to what God, through his love, has provided for you in a similar way that you have encouraged and inspired so many people. Be blessed!