Everything God Does is Good

Recently the high school students in Niakara and the surrounding area took the BACH – a ACT/SAT type test that determines their next step. Passing it allows them to continue on to one of the two Universities in Cote d’Ivoire, start an apprenticeship, or specialty training. Failing it means they must wait until year until the BACH is offered again, essentially putting their life on hold.

The results for these tests came in a couple weeks ago. I got to get to know one of the girls who came in from out of town quite well. We hung out a lot in the 3 weeks that she was here to take the BACH, then wait for the result. I was anxious to talk to her the day that the results were posted.

Unfortunately, she didn’t pass. I didn’t really know what to say, so “I’m sorry” was the first to come out. Her first words: “Everything God does is good.”

That seemed strange to me. How, right after receiving bad news, could you say that? After thinking, I rationalized it – it’s ONLY a test, she can take it again next year, but then I thought of where else I heard that phrase.

A husband losing a wife – a mother losing a child – a brother losing a sister – a son losing a father – a 20-something whose life is on hold because of a chronic illness – a farmer who can’t work or provide for for his family because of malaria…

These aren’t little things.

The first words that my host mom said to me when I told her that my grandmother passed away was “Everything God does is good.”

Then I read this:

Isaiah 45:7 – “I am the one who creates the lights and makes the darkness. I am the one who sends good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things.”

Ecclesiastes 7:14 “Enjoy prosperity while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.”

Lamentations 3:38 “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed?”

Everything (both trials and blessings) are from God. God is good. Do I live like both of these are true?

I know I didn’t even think about that until I heard this phrase, spoken from struggles, not from good times. I feel like it’s the opposite in the US. God is good when things are good, then we doubt when things are bad.

Everything God does is good. Can that truly be the song of my heart in EVERY situation? Can it be yours? I pray that god would show us that it can – that He’s as much with me when I’m struggling with my usefulness here in Cote d’Ivoire as when I am able to successfully share a Word of Scripture in French!

Continue to pray for us as we will continue to pray for you!

Steve and Jessica