Enduring Goodness

Read: Psalm 145

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. Psalm 145:13

IN WORD

Every few years in a democracy, the citizenry goes through a transition. Sometimes it’s a traumatic transition, and sometimes it goes relatively smoothly. But it always involves debate, an analysis of issues, a search for truth and values, and a good bit of fear. We live in the unknown, never certain about our future and reluctant to leave it in the hands of flawed leaders—the only kind we have. We don’t see far enough into the future to feel completely safe.

We don’t have much experience with confidence in a government. So even when we’re told of the certainty of God’s Kingdom and the permanence of its foundation, we have a hard time resting. Am I really secure in this realm? Will I have all I need? Am I going to face overwhelming difficulty? Is this King going to let me down?

If we’re honest, we’ll admit how freely these questions fill our minds at times. All human beings struggle with trust. The root of every temptation is doubt about God’s goodness—wondering whether He is holding out on us or whether He will really come through when we need Him. If we think His goodness might not apply to us personally in an area in which we desperately crave satisfaction, we will be tempted to fulfill our own needs. We have to be able to fully rely on His heart if we want to be safe and secure in His realm.

IN DEED

The good news is that we can. His Kingdom is unshakable. It won’t be moved. It doesn’t transition every few years to a new leader, nor does anyone need to debate His policies. His Kingdom lasts forever, and its overriding characteristic is the goodness of the King. The answer to our nagging question of whether He will come through for us is yes. He will. In love and power, He establishes not only His realm but the people who inhabit it. We can rest, trust, and believe.

ADDITIONAL READING: Revelation 11:15-19

Trust involves letting go and knowing God will catch you.

JAMES DOBSON