Embracing God's Goodness in Life's Circumstances

 

Summary

Today, we are invited to reconsider our circumstances and God's role in them, focusing on the word "good." This reflection is inspired by the teachings of Dallas Willard and the journey of Trevor Hudson, who found solace in understanding God's goodness. Trevor shares a story of a friend who, burdened with doubts and grievances against God, found transformation through a conversation with Dallas Willard. Dallas posed a pivotal question: Are you willing to see everything good as a gift from God and everything not good as not from God? This perspective shift became a turning point in Trevor's friend's life, emphasizing the importance of viewing God as wholly good.

This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, as seen in the story of Job, who struggled with understanding God's role in his suffering. Job's dilemma was whether to accept both good and bad from God, questioning if God sends bad things into our lives. This ancient issue persists today, as people grapple with framing their life circumstances. Unlike the impersonal fate of the ancient Greeks, the teaching of Jesus presents a God who is fundamentally good. The creation story in Genesis repeatedly affirms the goodness of God's work, culminating in the declaration that it was "very good."

The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment, asserting that God works for the good of those who love Him. This understanding challenges us to view every good thing as a divine gift. However, recognizing what is truly good can be complex, as illustrated by the humorous anecdote of a mouse in the house, which unexpectedly brought joy. This story underscores that we often don't know what will bring goodness into our lives.

The question remains: Are we willing to see every good thing as a gift from God and every bad thing as not from Him? This perspective requires a shift in how we perceive our experiences, acknowledging that God is not the source of evil but is working to redeem it. This foundational belief invites us to have second thoughts about our circumstances and embrace the goodness of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Gift of Perspective: Embracing the view that every good thing is a gift from God and every bad thing is not from Him can transform our understanding of life's circumstances. This perspective invites us to see God's hand in the goodness around us, fostering gratitude and trust in His character. [02:08]

2. The Struggle of Job: Job's story highlights the ancient struggle of reconciling suffering with God's goodness. His journey challenges us to question whether God sends bad things into our lives or if He remains wholly good, even amidst our trials. [03:41]

3. God's Unchanging Nature: The biblical affirmation that God is light, with no shadow of change, assures us of His consistent goodness. This truth invites us to trust in God's unwavering character, knowing that He is not the source of evil or temptation. [07:37]

4. The Complexity of Goodness: Recognizing what is truly good can be challenging, as illustrated by unexpected sources of joy. This complexity reminds us that God's understanding of goodness often surpasses our own, inviting us to trust His wisdom. [09:10]

5. A Foundational Belief: The belief that God is wholly good and not the source of evil is foundational to our faith. This conviction encourages us to view life's blessings as divine gifts and to trust in God's redemptive work amidst challenges. [11:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:27] - Introduction to the Theme of Goodness
- [00:52] - Trevor Hudson's Story
- [01:20] - Encounter with Dallas Willard
- [02:08] - The Transformative Question
- [02:56] - Viewing God as Wholly Good
- [03:41] - The Struggle of Job
- [04:26] - Ancient Perspectives on Fate
- [05:13] - The Secular View of the Universe
- [05:43] - The Biblical View of Goodness
- [06:15] - Insights from Kierkegaard
- [07:07] - James 1:17 and God's Goodness
- [08:09] - The Lens of Perception
- [09:10] - The Complexity of Recognizing Good
- [10:43] - Unexpected Sources of Joy
- [11:38] - Foundational Belief in God's Goodness
- [12:08] - Closing and Resources

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
2. Genesis 1:31 - "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."
3. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

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Observation Questions:

1. In the sermon, what pivotal question did Dallas Willard ask Trevor Hudson's friend that led to a transformation in his perspective? [02:08]

2. How does the story of Job illustrate the struggle of understanding God's role in both good and bad circumstances? [03:41]

3. What does the creation story in Genesis repeatedly affirm about God's work, and how does this relate to the sermon’s theme of goodness? [05:43]

4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Apostle Paul's assertion in Romans 8:28 regarding God's work in our lives? [05:57]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of viewing every good thing as a gift from God challenge or affirm one's current understanding of God's role in their life? [02:08]

2. In what ways does the story of Job challenge the belief that God is wholly good, and how does this tension reflect in modern-day struggles with faith? [03:41]

3. How does the affirmation in James 1:17 about God's unchanging nature provide comfort or challenge to believers facing difficult circumstances? [07:07]

4. What does the humorous anecdote about the mouse reveal about the complexity of recognizing what is truly good in our lives? [09:10]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you experienced something good. How did you perceive it at the time, and how might you view it differently now as a gift from God? [02:08]

2. Consider a challenging circumstance you are currently facing. How might the story of Job influence your understanding of God's presence and goodness in this situation? [03:41]

3. How can the assurance of God's unchanging nature in James 1:17 help you trust Him more deeply in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to remind yourself of this truth? [07:07]

4. Think of a time when something unexpected brought joy into your life. How can you cultivate a mindset that is open to recognizing and appreciating these unexpected gifts from God? [09:10]

5. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to see God's goodness. What practical steps can you take to shift your perspective and embrace the belief that God is working for your good? [05:57]

6. How can you apply the lesson from the sermon about seeing every good thing as a gift from God in your relationships with others? What changes might this perspective bring to your interactions? [02:08]

7. Reflect on the idea that God is not the source of evil but is working to redeem it. How does this belief impact your approach to challenges and setbacks in your life? [11:38]

Devotional

Day 1: The Gift of Perspective
Embracing the view that every good thing is a gift from God and every bad thing is not from Him can transform our understanding of life's circumstances. This perspective invites us to see God's hand in the goodness around us, fostering gratitude and trust in His character. By acknowledging that God is not the source of evil, we can begin to see our lives through a lens of divine generosity and benevolence. This shift in perspective encourages us to focus on the blessings we receive daily, recognizing them as gifts from a loving Creator. [02:08]

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you experienced something good. How can you intentionally recognize this as a gift from God today?


Day 2: The Struggle of Job
Job's story highlights the ancient struggle of reconciling suffering with God's goodness. His journey challenges us to question whether God sends bad things into our lives or if He remains wholly good, even amidst our trials. Job's experience invites us to wrestle with the complexities of faith, suffering, and divine goodness. It encourages us to trust in God's character, even when circumstances seem to contradict His goodness. By reflecting on Job's story, we can find solace in knowing that questioning and seeking understanding is a part of our spiritual journey. [03:41]

"Behold, God will not reject a blameless man, nor take the hand of evildoers." (Job 8:20, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you struggled to reconcile your own suffering with the belief in a good God? How can Job's story offer you comfort and insight today?


Day 3: God's Unchanging Nature
The biblical affirmation that God is light, with no shadow of change, assures us of His consistent goodness. This truth invites us to trust in God's unwavering character, knowing that He is not the source of evil or temptation. By understanding that God's nature is unchanging, we can find stability and hope in His promises. This assurance allows us to navigate life's uncertainties with confidence, knowing that God's goodness remains constant regardless of our circumstances. [07:37]

"For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." (Malachi 3:6, ESV)

Reflection: How does the knowledge of God's unchanging nature impact your trust in Him during times of uncertainty or change?


Day 4: The Complexity of Goodness
Recognizing what is truly good can be challenging, as illustrated by unexpected sources of joy. This complexity reminds us that God's understanding of goodness often surpasses our own, inviting us to trust His wisdom. By acknowledging that we may not always recognize what is good, we open ourselves to the possibility of finding joy and blessings in unexpected places. This perspective encourages us to remain open to God's surprises and to trust that His plans for us are ultimately for our good. [09:10]

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV)

Reflection: Can you recall a time when something unexpected turned out to be a blessing? How can you remain open to God's surprises in your life today?


Day 5: A Foundational Belief
The belief that God is wholly good and not the source of evil is foundational to our faith. This conviction encourages us to view life's blessings as divine gifts and to trust in God's redemptive work amidst challenges. By holding onto this foundational belief, we can navigate life's trials with hope and assurance, knowing that God is working for our ultimate good. This perspective invites us to live with gratitude and trust, confident in the knowledge that God's goodness is at the heart of our faith. [11:38]

"The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made." (Psalm 145:9, ESV)

Reflection: How does the belief in God's goodness shape your response to life's challenges? What steps can you take today to deepen your trust in His redemptive work?

Quotes


Dallas and listened patiently to my rantings against the God who ignores and who favors discriminately. He asked if I might do one thing when we parted. He said something like, are you willing to see everything that is good as being a gift from God and everything that is not good as not being from God? [00:02:02]

How do I look at my life and my circumstances and God's presence and God's goodness in it and we're going to come to real Bedrock here what is becoming increasingly clear to me, I think more so today than ever before, is the importance of viewing God as holy and nothing other than good. [00:02:49]

This I think was job's great struggle in the story of job after his second round of suffering, when job's wife tells him to curse God and die his responses should we accept good from God and not and then a word that's a bit difficult to translate not trouble, uh often is translated evil not bad things. [00:03:30]

The teaching of Jesus is fundamentally different and the word is good, in the first chapter of Genesis the story of creation eight times that word Thunders climaxed with and it was very good God made human beings very good. Paul says when he's running to the church at Rome for in all things now that's without exception God is working for the good. [00:05:34]

James 1 17. for every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the father of all lights, in whom there is not the slightest variation or shadow of change. God is Holy good, and every good thing that comes into my life is a gift from him. [00:07:07]

God is Holy good and every good thing that comes into my life is a gift from him. James says in that same passage nobody if they're tempted should say God is tempting me because God cannot be tempted by evil nor does God tempt anyone God is Holy good God is light. [00:07:28]

Are you willing to see every good thing in your life as a gift from God, and anything that is not good is not coming from God? Now of course part of this writes involves the reality that often we don't know what is good for us. [00:08:48]

The point is we don't know in this life what comes into our life that is going to be a source of Joy or goodness here's the question for today are you willing to see every good thing, every bite that you eat, every breath that you take, every bird song that you hear, every blue sky that you see. [00:10:56]

Are you willing to see all of these as a gift from God that's a gift that's a gift that's a gift, and that the bad that comes into your life is not from God that there is nothing bad in God that God is not evil cannot be tempted by evil but is working to redeem it. [00:11:32]

Are you willing to see everything that is good as being a gift from God and everything that is not good as not being from God? We ask that one more time are you willing to see everything that is good as being a gift from God and everything that is not good as not being from God? [00:02:08]

And Richard goes on to say that within two weeks he had begun to significantly change and that now many years later this Remains the single greatest turning point of his life. [00:02:36]

The biblical affirmation that God is light, with no shadow of change, assures us of His consistent goodness. This truth invites us to trust in God's unwavering character, knowing that He is not the source of evil or temptation. [00:07:37]

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Transcript
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