Pain is something we all face and many of us live with it daily. Pain and difficulties have a way of eroding our faith and discouraging our hearts. Pastor Chuck Smith encourages us to remember that God is working all things together for His glory and our good. It’s true, God is good!
Psalm 73:1–2 (NLT) “Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.”
Sooner or later, we will each face something we cannot understand. When that happens— when the world around us seems to be falling apart and we feel confused and overwhelmed— it is important to remember this foundational truth: God is good.
Too often, in the midst of pain, we think the opposite. We look around at others who are healthy, strong, and pain-free, and we say, “I have devoted my life to God and I have tried to do the right thing. Why am I suffering? Why are the wicked not suffering?” Satan— who always attacks us when we are weak— is right there to join us in challenging God. He tries to shake our faith in God’s goodness and His power by whispering, “If God is so mighty and so good, then why did He allow this to happen to you?”
The way to silence the whining of the flesh and the whispering of the enemy is to remind yourself of God’s great love.
In reading through this psalm, it would appear that the psalmist was going through some sort of painful experience or a physical malady. Like we do at times, he felt weak. But he knew the truth about God. Toward the end of the psalm, he said, “My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73: 26). Remember that God is in control of your life.
Remember that He is working all things together for your good.
Father, may we receive Your truth, and may we walk in the light of Your Word as it brings us to the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. Teach us to reject Satan’s lies and cling to Your truth. Amen.
Pastor Chuck Smith
