And all the time, God is Good.
If you’ve grown up in church, you’ve probably heard this old-school greeting before. When I was growing up, I heard it all the time. If you’re not familiar, it looks something like this:
Someone would walk up to the mic and announce,
“God is good all the time.”
Right on cue, the congregation would respond in unison,
“And all the time, God is Good.”
As enthusiastic as the leader may be, the congregation’s response was often a little lacklustre. Maybe it’s because it’s the hundredth or thousandth time we’ve heard it. Perhaps it’s because we’re struggling to truly believe it. It’s all too easy to get familiar with the reality that God is good. On the flip side, you may be going through a situation where it’s hard to see God’s goodness.
Regardless of where you stand, encourage yourself with this:
He knows what we’re going through.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
He’s true to his word.
“He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations” (Psalm 105:8)
He’s faithful. You can rely on Him.
“Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.” (Psalm 119:90)
Scripture is full of God’s promises, accounts of his faithfulness and tells the story of his unending love for His people.
That’s why we go to His Word, pray with thanksgiving, and sing songs about his faithfulness. It isn’t to remind God of what he’s supposed to do. It’s to remind ourselves that God is present, true to his word, and truly good. He’s good for us and good to us.
God is good at the time, and all the time, God is good.
Here’s a new song we’ll sing together in a few weeks. It takes that old familiar chorus, “God is So Good” and builds on it with some powerful declarations that are straight from scripture: that we’re blessed, healed whole, saved in Jesus’ name, highly favoured, anointed, filled with His power – all for the glory of Jesus’ name. As you meditate on the words, and as we sing it together on Sundays – let it encourage your soul to remember in the good times and the not-so-good times, that God is truly good.