God Is Good When Things Look Bad
By David Faust
Appearances don’t determine reality. A fresh coat of paint can spruce up the outside of a building, but what if the foundation is crumbling and termites have weakened the walls? A tall tree eventually will fall if it has a hollow trunk and shallow roots.
A woman might look stylish and self-assured, yet low self-esteem makes her groan inside when she looks in the mirror. A man might have a high-paying job and a stellar reputation, but despite appearing successful, he’s never truly satisfied.
A church might have an impressive public image and a full parking lot every Sunday, but that doesn’t guarantee its spiritual health. The Christians in Laodicea bragged about their wealth and self-sufficiency, but Jesus saw their true condition and said, “You are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
The opposite can be true as well. Unimpressive-looking things can have significant impact. Without fanfare, a family-owned company grows into a prosperous business. A small church sends and supports missionaries who reach the lost for Christ. A shy teen surprises everyone with her athletic prowess or musical talent. Often, God stores valuable treasures in ordinary clay jars.
Appearances can be deceiving. When we look at our personal problems and the world’s conditions, it’s tempting to think God has forsaken us. Things looked grim to the sons of Korah, the Hebrew poets who penned the song of complaint we know as Psalm 44. God had blessed in the past, but now the Israelites were scorned and mocked by their enemies, and their armies lost battles they used to win. Why was God hiding his face? Had he fallen asleep on the job? The psalmists felt like they were dying and God was doing nothing to help them.
By putting into words the failure and frustration we often feel, Psalm 44 provides an important backdrop for Romans 8. The apostle Paul quoted Psalm 44:22 in Romans 8:36 when he said, “As it is written, ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’”
Psalm 44 ends with this appeal to God: “Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love” (v. 26). Romans 8 gives God’s response—a resounding declaration of his “unfailing love.” Even in dire circumstances, when we face “trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword” (v. 35), the Father doesn’t abandon us. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life” (our entire life span from conception to final heartbeat) . . . “neither angels nor demons” (who influence the world for good or for evil) . . . “neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth” (no force anywhere in time or space) . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (vv. 37-39).
Psalm 44 rings true because the world is a mess and sometimes it looks like God isn’t doing anything to help. But appearances don’t determine reality. There’s more going on than meets the eye. “In all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).
Personal Challenge: In a private place, pray out loud to God. As the psalmists did in Psalm 44, tell the Lord what is bothering you. Then, as Paul did in Romans 8, thank the Lord for his unfailing love, which gives you purpose and hope in all circumstances.
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