“How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. 20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.” (Psalm 31:19-20 NIV)
“What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world. 20 You hide them safely away from the opposition. As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces, you silence the poisonous gossip.” (Psalm 31:19-20 MSG).
In the early fall of 2004 the Gateway Praise Team and I ministered in Trinidad. We had a wonderful time. One of the things our host churches proclaimed over and over again was these words: (Pastor): “God is good!” (People responded): “All the time.”
Those words would never be more powerful or affect me in a greater way then when one of our team members, Kim Garvey, uttered them from her hospital bed. Kim almost did not come on the trip. She had been ill, fighting what she thought was a serious sinus infection. She came a day late, ministered powerfully and faithfully (although we knew she did not feel well), and at the end of our tour, she became very ill and had to be rushed to a local hospital.
Out of respect for her (I did seek permission for this thought) and HIPPA rules, I will not go into any of the details of her illness, but I will say that she was in serious medical trouble. After transferring from the public hospital to a private one near where we were staying, she looked up at us and said, “God is good.” Then she shared how her illness had given her opportunities to witness for Him.
God is good. Even in our difficulties God is good, and if we will run to Him we can experience that goodness. He is a wonderful shelter for those who seek refuge in Him.
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