God is good and mighty no matter what happens

I was out running an errand a few minutes ago and spending some time in prayer when I witnessed a vehicle wreck at the intersection of Main and 18th Street.

I was headed westbound on Main following a guy pulling a trailer. As we approached 18th Street, I noticed a tan Ford SUV aimed eastbound waiting for the truck and me to pass so that she could turn onto 18th. The driver of the blue minivan behind her apparently wasn't paying attention. She slammed into the rear driver side of the Ford and ricocheted into the driver ahead of me. Fortunately, he had passed milliseconds before and she didn't hit him - she slammed into his trailer. Metal and plastic smashed and exploded into the air in that moment. I don't remember hitting my brakes but I was able to stop and avoid hitting anyone. I then called 911.

If I had been about 2-3 seconds ahead of schedule, I would have been involved. Instead of hitting a lifeless trailer the driver of the Chrysler would have hit me head-on or on the driver's side. While I was glad that everyone seemed (at least immediately) to be OK, the vehicles were horribly damaged and I was left thinking about what could have been.

And in those moments, I was reminded of how some people would say things like: "Wow! God was watching out for you, Matt! You could have been in a horrible accident but God protected you!" Well, that's true but doesn't saying such things imply that the persons in the wreck were NOT protected by God? Doesn't saying such things question God's goodness or power in keeping those in horrible tragedies from such events?

God is just as good and just as in control by protecting me as He would be if I had been involved. Following Jesus doesn't create some promise from Him that things will go well for us. It simply assures us that whatever comes our way is intended for our good (Romans 8:28) and that He will be with us (Hebrews 13:5) as we go through it.

With this understanding, we really can "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We can thank God when He protects us and when He doesn't because we know that He intends everything for our good (to make us more like Jesus) and it absolutely must come through His powerful hands before it gets to us. There is much comfort to be found in these thoughts.

Book Review: "90 Days of God's Goodness" by Randy Alcorn

I obtained my free copy of “90 Days of God’s Goodness” from Multnomah for review. I handpicked this book because of my love for Randy Alcorn’s writings and I was not disappointed. Let me outline why this book should be read by every Christian.

First, for anyone who has experienced, is experiencing or will experience some really tough times (and this includes all of us), this book is extremely relevant and very comforting. Each entry can be read in about 5-10 minutes and includes a Scripture, comforting/insightful word from the author and a closing prayer. The author’s words comfort the heart and inform the mind.

    

Second, this book is creative. As I prepared to read this book, I wondered how much could be said about dealing with difficulty. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that the author makes each chapter fascinating and unique. He looks at the theme of suffering (sickness, death of a loved one, loss of job, lawsuits, severed relationships, persecution, etc.) from various angles in each chapter and never makes you feel like he’s repeating himself. As you trek through the book, you find yourself looking forward to the next journey he will take you on in the consecutive readings.
   

Third, this book isn’t just “fluff” as so many other books today. It’s easy reading and yet at the same time it builds a biblical theology of suffering. It addresses the questions of why suffering happens, what suffering produces, how a child of God is to respond to suffering, etc. The fact that the author can present a book filled with theology and yet present it as a devotional, easy-reading book speaks to the giftedness God has given him. The author has the ability to simplify the complex without watering it down.

   
Fourth, the author has the moral authority to write a book on suffering. As he includes so many stories of people who have suffered, he peppers the book with his own trials. He is very transparent and speaks of many different traumatic events that God has allowed into his life. As you become aware of the calamities he has experienced and then continue to hear him talk of God’s goodness, it gives the book power. You realize that you aren't simply listening to someone who wants to make a buck off of a book sale. He's writing from experience and wants to help others glorify God in their difficulties.

  
As I heartily recommend this book to you, I’ll conclude with a quote from day 82 that explains why I believe you must read it: “Before difficult times come your way, develop the habits of studying God’s Word, listening to Christ-centered teaching and music, reading soul-nourishing literature, both nonfiction and fiction. Daily fill the reservoir from which you can draw when facing difficult times – and helping others face theirs.”