God is Good No Matter What

“Often I have heard people say, ‘How good God is. We prayed that it would not rain for our church picnic, and look at this lovely weather!’

Yes, God is good when He sends weather. But God was also good when He allowed my sister Betsie to starve to death before my eyes in the German concentration camp.

I remember on one occasion when I was very discouraged there. Everything around us was dark, and there was darkness in my heart. I remember telling Betsie that I thought God had forgotten us.

‘No, Corrie,’ said Betsie, ‘He has not forgotten us. Remember His Word: ‘For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who Fear Him.’ [Psalm 103:11]

There is an ocean of God’s love available … There is plenty for everyone. May God grant you never to doubt that victorious love — whatever the circumstances” (Corrie ten Boom, Clippings from My Notebook).

God is good when the miraculous healing comes, and God is good when He choses to take the person to heaven.

God is good when the job comes, and God is good when there’s no job and no money.

God is good when you meet the love of your life and get married, and God is good when you spend your life single and dedicated to serving Him only.

God is good when everything goes your way, and God is good when you are facing more than you can handle and are forced to rely on God’s strength to carry you through.

God is good on the good days, and God is good on the bad days. We know no matter what God is with us and above anything God could give us, what we need most is God Himself. Even if we perish, God is still good.

A Quote that Punched Me in the Face

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—
and there was no one left to speak for me” (Martin Niemöller).

Martin Niemöller was a German pastor during the Nazi regime. According to what I read, he spent the last seven years of their reign in concentration camps.

I found this quote when I was scrolling through the saved websites on my phone. It did almost feel like a punch to the face. It reminded me that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and silence in the face of injustice amounts to consent and approval of it.

I’m left asking the question: Who do I need to speak out for?

A better question is this: Who do I know that doesn’t have a voice that I’m not speaking out for?

Who will speak out for me if I don’t speak out for them?