Trust

It’s all good.  Or, is it?

Culturally, we’re hung up on the concept of ‘good.’  Companies like Yoplait and Life is Good hinge their slogans and even their very name on the word.  Our vernacular employs it to connote anything that is positive, pleasurable, or profitable.  It’s become an arbitrary or generic term for anything we like.

In a world virally-infected with sin, where disease and depravity run rampant, can the simple phrase ‘it’s all good’ possibly bear truth?  Children are abandoned or abused; families stagger under the weight of poverty the world over; natural disasters and accidents wreak havoc on life and livelihood.  These can hardly be described as ‘good’, can they?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
– Romans 8:28

This verse is the inspiration for the name of this website: Eight Twenty-Eight. As mentioned on my About page, I chose it because I routinely quote this verse to myself as an audible flash-card, to train myself in the mindset of knowing that God is both good and powerfully at work in the lives of His people.

According to Vines Expository Dictionary of the Bible, the Greek word for ‘good’ (agathos) as it’s used in Romans 8:28,

“describes that which, being “good” in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect.”

When the definite article ‘the’ precedes it, as it does in Romans 8:28, it

“signifies that which is “good,” lit., “the good,” as being morally honorable, pleasing to God, and therefore beneficial.”

Isn’t that a game-changer?

Beneficial in its effect.  For our benefit.  The benefit of becoming more like Christ. 

My father died of a brain tumor when I was nine years old.  I spent thirteen years not just grieving, but shaking my fist in rage at God for allowing it.  Surrendering to my need for a Savior and trusting in the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ brought the healing I desperately needed. As a Christian, I reap the reward of this promise given to believers. I see how He has brought beauty out of those ashes:  I have offered comfort to those with similar losses, I value my husband’s role in the lives of my children much more profoundly, I rejoice that I have a Father in heaven, and I responded to the plight of the fatherless in bringing home my sons from Russia.

When viewing present circumstances, it requires lenses of faith to believe that what we endure now will benefit us later. Our vision is limited; we think only in terms of this life, and often merely of our comfort in it. Yet all that befalls us has passed first before the Throne of God, and He has allowed it (though He cannot cause evil).  He is fitting us for heaven with every experience, shaping our characters into the likeness of Christ, ones that can trust and praise Him in all circumstances.

The horrible injustices we observe or experience aren’t ‘good’ in and of themselves, but rather ‘good’ in the effect they produce, even if we don’t see that fruit on this side of eternity. That which another intends for evil, God repurposes – redeems, if you will – for good. (Genesis 50:20)  For the believer, all things can be used by God to render us into greater likeness to Christ. From this eternal perspective all things are, therefore, good.

This knowledge doesn’t make our earthly sufferings easy to endure; they are not simply overcome with those words.  In the darkest hours, I return to the first part of Romans 8:28:  “And we know…”  When I don’t feel that anything good can come of whatever I’m enduring, I have to lean on my knowledge of who God is and what His Word says.

And His Word says that He will. Someday… somehow.

In this world ravaged by depravity, my human eyes observe very little to be ‘good’ – much less all.  And so, I yield.  I yield to the knowledge that God is indeed sovereign, trusting that He can and will work all things together for the good of those who love Him.  And thus I will trust that, “It will all be good.”

Will you?

Dedicated to KP:
Thank you for your living testimony to this truth in your life.

In making the rounds to garner back-to-school attire and supplies for my kids, stores issued many incentives to come back later and spend more money.  I noticed, in particular, a $10 coupon from Old Navy which imitated our American currency, saying “In happiness we trust.”  The underlying supposition, of course, is that buying clothes at Old Navy will make one happy.

My mind immediately flashed to the statement on our legal tender:  In God we trust.  I felt defensive not for the “almighty dollar” but for the Almighty Himself.  For it is in Him we place our trust.

Or do we?

The word ‘trust’ in the Bible is used some 134 times, with slight variation and nuance to the meaning.  Generally, it’s defined as hope, confidence or security.   The unflattering truth is likely that we put a great deal of confidence and security in circumstantial happiness, evidenced by

– the desire to change jobs when we feel under-appreciated or under-paid
– switching schools at the first sign of hardship, socially or academically
– replacement of perfectly functional household goods, clothing and even body parts.

There are excellent reasons to do each of those things, but often those choices are driven by discontent, or unhappiness, assuming our pleasure alone is reason enough to precipitate change.

The price of trusting in circumstances or happiness is exorbitant and fickle, requiring ever-increasing payments.  Much like the so-called coupon, to redeem it, we have to spend more.

Not so with the Lord.  To trust Him is to have the enduring surety of a steadfast God, who can work all things out for our good (Romans 8:28).  It is to know that He has great plans for our lives, even if our circumstances appear to say otherwise (Jeremiah 29:11).  Most pointedly, it means giving assent to trials – counting them as privilege – because He wishes to refine our faith (James 1:2).  Surely these reasons merit the placement of my hope, confidence, security – my trust – in Him.

I finished my errands, my wallet engorged with receipts and ‘invitations’ to spend more money, masquerading as opportunities to save.  There are sound fiscal reasons to use cash instead of checks, debit cards or credit cards.  Now I’ve found another, more compelling, reason:  a tangible reminder, urging me to search whether it’s true of myself, “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
–1 Timothy 6:17 (TNIV)