7 The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him. – Nahum 1:7
If ever there was a verse to blanket our lives with, it is this. There is a reason the Bible repeats of God’s goodness so many times. Simply look around you. The world is in short supply of good and we would be wise to remember this. Conditions are bleak and any good is touched only by grace. Scripture continually reminds us of both the broken and the whole in the world – contrasts the condition we find ourselves in with the condition promised us afterwards. When we are reminded of the character of God, we are to take note – repeat and remind.
Like in all Scripture, Nahum 1:7 is both simple, and layered. We can recognize goodness in much, yet still struggle to see God as good in some. As a “strong refuge”, He promises to be “close”, which is to be enough. His presence is the ultimate experience of good. Yet His presence, we are not immune to sadness. In such turbulent times, our eternal deliverance is guaranteed, but not necessarily our immediate. Conditions seem to go south quickly in this world.
Our health.
Our circumstances.
Our relationships.
The corruption of all of these prove not the lack of presence, but the condition of the world we find ourselves in.
Our Creator is good. Christ is our refuge and presence in the suffering (if we so choose), not the cause or expansion of. We here benefit by remembering the cross. The solution of evil in this world was not complete annihilation of, but a miracle within it’s grasp. It was God as us, suffering and broken, comforting us while we do the same. Christ is He who suffered on our behalf, side to side with our shadow self, so we might be granted His presence. That day at Calvary we were not promised insulation, but presence.
Know that whatever today brings, whether triumph or tragedy, His presence is with you. Closer than the pain is the grace poured out from above. Doubt if you must, for there is no harm in honestly accepting such humanity, but let your heavy heart look nearby.
Christ is in the pain as much as the charity.
Matt simon blog 