No Good Thing (2)

Four years ago (Oct 2022, No Good Thing), we addressed this topic. This is like a (long) footnote. God’s word is filled with “if-then” statements. Our topic comes from one of them (implied), “[then]…No good thing does He withhold from those [if] who walk uprightly.” Ps 84:11b.

With the trials God allows,

we may think He has abandoned us. But we’d be wrong. He promised never to leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). Even when we go through debilitating trials (like the death of a child, or a 2 ½ year disability from a motorcycle accident), He continually keeps His eye on us (Ps. 32:8).

Before we get carried away

thinking there are good things we want that God hasn’t provided, there are four things to consider. First, our definition of good and God’s definition may not be the same thing. If you’re a parent, you know that you can’t say yes to everything your kids ask of you. God’s parenting is no different. Remember the standard, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31).

Secondly, God deserves our best

and wants His best for us. There are four stages of quality or value to consider. There is OK, then good, and better, and finally best. Even though we defend wanting good stuff, as a loving father, God wants to give us what’s best. And that ties into the third thing: the little word “yet.” Often our timing doesn’t dovetail with God’s, so His answer isn’t yes or no, it’s wait. Waiting, especially if we’re a “type A” personality, is like watching paint dry.

Finally,

and I think this is where God’s desire to grant us good things is vastly different than ours for one main reason. Many of the “things” we think of based on today’s verse, aren’t things at all. They’re character qualities. You know the list, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22,23); gifts [or fruit] of the Spirit. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy ?Spirit to those who ask Him?’ (Luke 11:13).

Remember the qualifier: we must walk uprightly. Click here Steps To Salvation for insight into God’s plan for you. Thanks for reading.