I’m just getting over a bout with Gout. For those who don’t know, it’s similar to a kidney stone, but it is in the joints of your foot (For me, between the big toe and ball of the foot). It’s a constant pain, and relentless. The night before last, I didn’t get much sleep at all because of it (I even went to sleep in the guest bedroom so I wouldn’t wake up my wife). I struggled with it all day yesterday, some parts were better (less pain), some parts were agonizing. It’s probably one of the worst pains I have ever gone through. Today, it’s still here, but I was able to sleep for much of the night, getting up only 3 or 4 times. I’m exhausted, at the end of my strength, but I know one thing: through it all, God is good. In my pain, I cried out to the Lord, sometimes, all I could do was call His name, but in everything, even as I begged and pleaded, I would say “God, you’re still good, even if my answer is ‘no,’ you’re still good.”
I say all of this because I know there are people with varying degrees of pain, physical, emotional, and spiritual who read these. There are people who suffer because they’ve lost someone close to them. There are those who have gotten a terminal diagnosis, and some who are unable to get out of the house. Whatever it is you’re facing today, remember that, no matter what we go through, God is still good, and nothing removes Him from His throne. And, even though He is on our throne, He is not far removed from us or our pain. His Son, Jesus, is well acquainted with our ways. He knows what it’s like to be fully human, and lived and walked as one of us. He is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in Spirit. He understands us intimately, and, even should we not get the answers or healing we seek, He is still Good.
Psalm 34
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
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