Isaiah 41:19-20
This past week, indeed the past several weeks have really been a challenge to us. The church basement was flooded when it rained heavily. We have been struggling with health issues as have many in the congregation. We have had worries over insurance and had our credit card “compromised” through fraudulent charges. The furnace went out. Our son’s car blew a tire and he also had unexpected school expenses.
But amid all the problems we have had to face we are aware of God’s goodness. All of the issues were taken care of and in many instances our situation was improved. In spite of all the bad in life God is good.
The prophet Isaiah speaks for God in this passage. According to verse 19, what has God done? Why has God done this?
God talks about the desert and the wastelands, places that most people would normally avoid. They are forbidding areas. They are lands that make survival difficult. Yet in the wastelands, in these severe places, there are pleasant things. God has placed cedar trees, something very much valued in the Middle East especially in the time of Christ. There are also other beautiful and much desired trees in these harsh lands.
God has put them there to show His mercy and love. He has placed these bits of goodness in the harsh and forbidding places to show His wisdom.
Our lives can feel like a desert place, a place of no relief. The struggles and challenges of life, the hard times, the problems, can make us feel that we are walking through a wasteland of hopelessness.
Yet in this trying and difficult place God has placed moments of beauty and relief. In the midst of struggles there is grace and beauty and love from God.
We must remember that God has created us. He has made all things. And in this creation God desires that we have good things. No matter how hard things become there is always goodness from God. We simply need to watch for it.
DAILY CHALLENGE: What have been your times of goodness this past week?
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