When God Isn't Good

God is good.

What do we do when He isn't?

Rest assured, He always is, but I want to explore that statement today: God is good.

When do you say that? When the finances come through, when the healing is fulfilled, when the need -- whatever it may be -- is supplied, we say, "God is so good."

Last night my apartment flooded. Water everywhere. A crack between the porch roof and the brick building expanded in the deep freeze last week, and when it all started to melt, it found its way inside. The apartment became uninhabitable. I threw a few things in a bag and stayed with a friend last night.

Today I have called, searched, and put out a call on facebook. My physical limitations mean that I have certain needs in a living situation that make the search more difficult and at the same time urgent.

Less than 8 hours after the search began, I have several leads and possibilities. Friends have called and texted and pulled in others from their circle. As I laid down for a nap, I thought with a smile, "God is good."

Yes, He is.

But not because He provided.

God is good because God is good. It's His nature as much as it's a squirrel's nature to hoard acorns and a bird flies south for the winter. God can't be not good any more than a bird can't fly south.

Psalm 145:3 says, "Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable." Then David proceeds to list the wonderful attributes of God: He is merciful, gracious, patient, powerful, and glorious. Above all, God is good.

How encouraging to remind myself that no matter what happens in my life, God is good. If the needs are fulfilled or not the way I asked, God is still good. He loves me and can't be anything else.