Living in God's Goodness

Though it isn't listed on this blog as one of my "favorites," I really enjoy reading "The Valley of Vision," which is a collection of Puritan prayers and meditations edited by Arthur Bennett. Though none is specifically titled, the contributors' list includes John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, David Brainerd, and the like. I am challenged and encouraged by the humility, the passion, and the devotion of these dear ones who have gone before us.

This morning I read a meditation entitled, "The All-Good," and I would like to share it with you. I'm going to paraphrase, using some more modern language (as my family reminds me, not everyone loves Shakespeare and poetry like you do, Mom)

My God,
You have helped me to see that whatever good be in honor and rejoicing,
how Good is He who gives them, and can withdraw them;
that blessedness does not lie so much in receiving good from and in You,
but in holding forth Your glory and virtue;
that it is an amazing thing to see Deity in a creature,
speaking,
acting,
filling,
shining through it;
that nothing is good but You, and that I am near to good when I am near You,
that to be like You is a glorious thing;
This is my magnet, my attraction.

You, God, are all my good in times of peace,
my only support in days of trouble,
my one sufficiency when life ends.
Help me to see how good Your will is in everything,
and even when Your will crosses mine, teach me to be pleased with Your will.
Grant me to see Your provision in my daily food and heat and clothing and everything I have.
Help me to see that Your many gifts and creatures are but Your hands and fingers taking hold of me.

O, bottomless fountain of all good,
I give myself to You out of love,
for all I have or own belongs to You:
my goods
family
church
self,
and it is all Yours to do with as You will.
I want You to honor Yourself by me, and by all mine.

If it is consistent with Your eternal counsels,
the purpose of Your grace,
the great ends of Your glory,
then bestow upon me the blessings of Your comforts;
If not, and suffering and trials come my way,
let me submit gladly to Your wiser determinations.

Currently I am in the process of "submitting gladly" to God's "wiser determinations" in my life. No one says it's easy or painless; but I must trust that my God who is all-good, all-wise, having considered all possible scenarios, has chosen what is best for me, and what will bring Him glory.

"I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on Your laws. I hold fast to Your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free." Psalm 119:30-32 NIV