Goodness Follows Me

Not every answer to prayer needs to look like a breakthrough.

If God is able to do everything, He is able to do anything in order of His goodness towards me.

God wants me to trust Him in the details, and in the moments that I’m unsure. He wants me to relax in Him. I can imagine myself floating on a rubber raft drifting on the water. This is how relaxed He wants me to be in the knowledge of His goodness.

Life may not look the way I expect but I don’t have to feel neglected or anxious because I am stretched. I am often stretched. This isn’t a reason to doubt God’s goodness.

When I am in want, His goodness follows me (Psalm 23:6). He wants me to call on Him and know with assurance that He is responsible for me. I can trust Him in every situation, good or bad.

Psalm 34:5-8 (ESV)

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!

I look back and see God’s hand on my life in all the times I felt afraid, uncertain, alone, and devastated.

Proverbs 15:3 (ESV)

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

I know in hindsight that He has never left me, even when I had left Him. Therefore, I know that even now when I am following Him, He is orchestrating events that lead me through every trial to where it is good for me to be. Even now, I am positioned and being positioned. His goodness pursues me.

Because of that I know that my life is not a mistake and my mistakes have not blown the tyres off my life’s destination. No one else can subvert God’s will for my life, either. I’m ok. I’m on my way. God’s got me and my household. I can sigh with relief.

What’s important is that I’m diligent in the journey of understanding how I should respond best to what is happening around me and how He wants to work through me. He holds me. He keeps me.

Psalm 121:7-8 (NCV)

The Lord will protect you from all dangers; he will guard your life. The Lord will guard you as you come and go, both now and forever.

When I centre myself in His care, I am not afraid. I know His goodness. I know His trustworthiness. I know His ultimate power and glory will shelter me along the way and complete what He has started in me. His goodness follows me.

Every single occasion where I could be afraid of the outcome is an opportunity to place my hope and joyful expectation in Him; to watch and see what He will do; to allow Him to change and strengthen me. It makes for a life lived in adventure rather than fear. He sees me.

Genesis 16:13 (CSB)

So she [Hagar, an Egyptian slave] named the Lord who spoke to her: “You are El-roi,” for she said, “In this place, have I actually seen the one who sees me?”

I may not think I have enough. I may feel distressed, but His Word promises He will look after me.

Matthew 6:31-33 (CEB)

Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

People may come against me. I may feel inadequate, but His Word has the answer.

Ezekiel 2:6 (NLT)

“Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels.

Often God will put us in the path of people we might find intimidating or threatening. I’ve learned to stand against the threat and come toward them in His victory already won. I have to know when to stand, when to speak and when to be silent, when to fight and when to be still. When I follow His lead, He brings me through unscathed and in His power and peace.

Jeremiah 1:8

(NET) Do not be afraid of those to whom I send you, for I will be with you to protect you,” says the Lord.

(NLV) Do not be afraid of them. For I am with you to take you out of trouble,” says the Lord.

(TLB) And don’t be afraid of the people, for I, the Lord, will be with you and see you through.”

The world might be overwhelming. I might feel afraid, but I can declare His protection as Ezra did:

Ezra 8:22-23,31 (NCV)

I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road. We had said to the king, “Our God helps everyone who obeys him, but he is very angry with all who reject him.” So we fasted and prayed to our God about our trip, and he answered our prayers…. Our God helped us and protected us from enemies and robbers along the way.

In every situation I can give thanks. He is responsible for my welfare. Nobody else. No other system. Just Him. His goodness follows me.

When I nurture this faith, instead of fear, I walk in new strength, new boldness, able and ready.

Isaiah 46:4 (GWT)

Even when you’re old, I’ll take care of you. Even when your hair turns gray, I’ll support you. I made you and will continue to care for you. I’ll support you and save you.