This question is not something that has rarely been asked. Some may think that only atheists or agnostics would ask such a question, but many Christians who are going through dark times in life are asking the same question. They know what the Bible says. However, when the hard times come, they’re just not feeling like God is good, close, or hearing a word that comes from their mouths.
Many would say, “How dare a person who says he or she knows Jesus question the goodness of God?” Even the godliest of people in Scripture wondered where God was in their suffering. They had moments of doubt.
I am not ashamed to admit that I have been there. I would lie if I said my faith was always strong. I doubted God when I had a newborn baby and no income to support it, but God provided. In deep, dark times of depression, I wondered where God was when I did everything I knew to do to come out of that. I prayed warfare prayers, rebuked the devil, quoting countless Bible verses, but still no victory.
The darkest was when my family fell apart, I was without a job, and had no clue what the future held. But God! God provided for me financially. God gave me friends and people to support me through the darkness. God gave me a church where I could lead worship. They never condemned or questioned my situation but loved me into their fellowship. God allowed me to sense His presence in a way I had never sensed Him before. I actually drew closer to God because He showed me what a “good, good Father” He really is.
I would like to close with the lyrics to this new worship song called “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin. I pray that they bless you as much as they blessed me:
Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you’re pleased
And that I’m never alone
You’re a Good, Good Father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
Oh, and I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching
For answers only you provide
Cause you know just what we need
Before we say a word
You’re a Good, Good Father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us
Oh, it’s love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As you call me deeper still
Into love, love, love
You’re a Good, Good Father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
Matthew Winters (Honest Thoughts from a Pastor) 