looking on Your goodness

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living!

Psalm 27:13

Alongside David of old, I too believe this same confident assertion. God is for me, who can be against me? I am called to confidence. I am summoned to a sure service. I am filled with faith in a good God Who does good things in good ways in the grace of the gospel as I follow Him. I believe in the goodness of the LORD.

I’ve seen death… a lot of it up close and personal. As a pastor, dealing with loss, remembering lives, memorializing moments in time with unique personalities is something I am regularly called to do. It is healthy to have regular reminders that there is a limit to mortality. How do I do this with feet firmly planted (at least for right now) in the land of the living? It is all because of Christ’s death and resurrection. I am certain that death is not the end for the believer. And as those I have loved much have crossed that threshold, I stand here in the land of the living, ready in God’s time to join them on an even brighter side to eternal life in Christ. It is a glorious prospect. Yet… I must still stand on this side, knowing the goodness of the LORD, grieving the temporary separation, and believing Jesus for that certain hope while staying on in the land of the living.

Every day I gaze upon the goodness of the LORD!

Your face shines, O God, in the light of Your Word as I read it. Your glory shines as I worship You both with Your gathered saints and in the quiet morning pre-dawn dark silence. Your goodness falls on me in the forgiveness of my sins, in the wisdom of Your Word as I follow Jesus, and in Your daily provision for me. I have a comfortable roof over my head, warm clothes, loving family, daily bread, service to perform for Your glory, and satisfying joys in simple gifts of Your overflowing grace… EVERY DAY! Yes Lord, I believe that I look upon Your goodness here in the land of the living. And when I leave this land, there is an even greater glory beyond what I can imagine filled with even greater goodness. Praise You, my LORD!

Amen