In the midst of the struggles and hardships that we face, it is very easy to forget that God is rich in His mercy and abundant in His gifts. Our heads are bowed down with sorrow as we see death clenching its fists tighter and tighter around everything we see. But this is another tactic of Satan to bring us into despair and to blame God for evil. What is truly baffling is why the Lord continues to richly pour out His goodness upon this earth that is bent on destroying Him and throwing off His righteous rule. Yet even a momentary look around will remind you that God’s creation is still filled to overflowing with goodness. All that God created is still good. There is still beauty and joy and happiness. There are still families with parents loving and nurturing their children in the Word of God. There are still flowers blooming in the field. Stars from millions of light years continue to shower their light upon us. There is still laughter. There are still wise and faithful rulers. Given what we have done to creation in our sin, it’s a wonder that there is anything at all good for us to enjoy. But the same gracious God who first created all things, still sustains all things and has brought new life and hope in His Son, Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father continues to give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. All this He does out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy without any merit or worthiness in us. Let us not despair of God’s goodness or focus our attention on the things that are going wrong. Rather, let our eyes be tuned to the goodness of God which is all around us and of which we are a part. And let the chief goodness of God, His mercy and forgiveness, be our highest good and greatest joy. I look forward to seeing you this coming Lord’s Day as we gather together to receive the bountiful goodness of God our Father.
Pastor Ulmer