Even in the Worst Times, God Is Good
By Rick Warren
“Protect me, God, because I trust in you. I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord. Every good thing I have comes from you.’” Psalm 16:1-2 (NCV)
Not everything that happens in your life is good. But God is good—and he is pouring his goodness into your life.
Circumstances may be very difficult in your life right now, but God can take the bad and bring good out of it. Even in the worst times, you can trust this: God has a good purpose, a good plan, and a good reason.
Psalm 16:1-2 says, “Protect me, God, because I trust in you. I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord. Every good thing I have comes from you’” (NCV).
No matter where you are in life right now, you could use a reminder of God’s goodness. And sometimes the best way to remember something is to talk with God about it through prayer.
Would you stop now to pray and talk to God about his goodness? Say something like this:
“God, you are so good. I could never deserve your goodness. I’m sorry that I have often forgotten or doubted your goodness. Forgive me for my ungratefulness and prideful self-centeredness. I am nothing without you. Like King David in the Bible, I would despair if I didn’t know your goodness. Open my eyes to see how good you really are and let your goodness transform my life.
“God, my soul needs restoring. I don’t always think right. I don’t always choose right. I don’t always feel right. I need you to restore my damaged soul, my mind, my will, and my emotions. As I continue learning about your goodness, I trust that my sins have been forgiven because I’ve come to you and said I need a Savior. I’m going to release the people who have hurt me and pray a prayer of blessing over them. I’m going to team up with you and ask you to help me with the load I’m carrying. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
The greatest example of God’s goodness is Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. You won’t fully experience his goodness until you experience his salvation. If you don’t know Jesus as Savior, you can pray this right now:
“Jesus Christ, I want to get to know you. I want to learn to love you and trust you. Please forgive me for my sin. I ask you to accept me into your family, not because I deserve it but because, on the cross, you paid for all of my sins. Thank you for your gift of salvation. I receive it and ask for your help to follow you faithfully as my Lord. I pray this in your name. Amen.”
If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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