Psalm 16:11 (CSB)
You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
When life gets hard, there is the temptation to get the goodness of God mixed up with the pain and suffering of life and come to the conclusion that God is not good. It's at these times that we must pull away from our feelings and lean into what the Scriptures say about God's goodness.
For instance, look at what the Bible says in Psalm 34:8 (NLT), “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” It is clear that joy is found in the Lord and not in our circumstances or in this world. When we make the Lord our refuge, we are sheltering ourselves from the Kingdom of this world and our flesh and connecting our hearts to the Kingdom of God. When our identity is based more on our position in Christ than anything in this world, it totally changes how we respond to painful circumstances.
“Taste and see” is inviting us to experience the reality of the sweetness of the Lord. When we have truly tasted and seen the sweetness of intimacy with the Lord, it will dull our taste buds for the things of this world. No longer will we be chasing after the empty calories of worldly pursuits, attempting to find happiness and purpose in the here and now.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17 CSB). Every good thing in everyone's life is a gift from God. Many people believe the good things in their lives are a result of their hard work or their good luck. But the Bible informs us that everything in this life that is good comes from God.
When we begin to get stressed out over the good things in our lives, it's because we have lost our Kingdom perspective. We can begin to think that the good things in our lives are a result of what we are doing or are things that we have created. When we adopt this mindset, we will struggle to try to hold everything together, thinking we are in control and responsible for the outcome of the good gifts that God has given us.
In regard to Jesus, the Bible says, “He is before all things, and by him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17 CSB). Notice, “And by him all things hold together.” This means that Jesus is responsible for all of the good gifts that he has given you. You are responsible for stewarding them, and he is responsible for the ultimate outcome.
This is all important to understand whenever you hit difficult circumstances in life. When you live under the Kingdom authority and rule of Jesus, you can take comfort in knowing that he is weaving the good and the bad all together for your eternal good and for his Kingdom purpose.
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28 (CSB).
Take a close look at Romans 8:28. Two important points are found here: (1) “Those who love God.” Do you truly love God? Have you given Him your heart to rule and reign over every aspect of your life? (2) “Who are called according to his purpose.” Do you recognize that as a citizen of the Kingdom of God, you have a Kingdom purpose? If you have these two points clear in your heart and mind, it will change how you respond to afflictions in your life. Instead of questioning the goodness of God, they will serve to pull you closer to Him; they will turn your heart away from this world and into His Kingdom.
Kingdom living comes with something this world can never promise you. It provides you with a King who is in total control of everything and guarantees that everything in His Kingdom will work out for your eternal good and His glory.
Philippians 4:19–20 (CSB)
And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.