When Corrie Ten Boom was a little girl in Holland, her first realization of death came after a visit to the home of a neighbor who had died. It impressed her that someday her parents would also die. Corrie’s father comforted her with words of wisdom. “Corrie, when you and I go to Amsterdam, when do I give you your ticket?” “Why, just before we get on the train,” she replied. “Exactly,” her father said, “and our wise Father in heaven knows when we’re going to need things too. Don’t run out ahead of Him, Corrie. When the time comes for us to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need—just in time.”

Have you ever praised God’s goodness when skies were blue, but questioned Him when the storm clouds rolled into your life? Many times we can praise God when things go well and neglect Him when we find ourselves in trouble.

But whether or not we think God is being good to us, He is. Notice another reflection on God’s goodness by Corrie Ten Boom: “Often I have heard people say, ‘How good God is! We prayed that it would not rain for our church picnic, and look at the lovely weather!’ Yes, God is good when He sends good weather. But God was also good when He allowed my sister, Betsie, to starve to death before my eyes in a German concentration camp. I remember one occasion when I was very discouraged there. Everything around us was dark, and there was darkness in my heart. I remember telling Betsie that I thought God had forgotten us. ‘No, Corrie,’ said Betsie, ‘He has not forgotten us. Remember His Word: For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him.'”

Even when her sister died wrongfully, Corrie learned that God was still being good to her. In the midst of this trial, God showed that He was in control.

Second Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” God has given us grace the to face whatever comes into our lives.

As Christians, sometimes we think the Christian life is a life of relaxation, happiness, and ease. While there is joy and ease of burdens, God never said the Christian life would be a breeze. We still face loss, trials, difficulties, and tough times. We are not immune from trials. But it is often during these trials that we question God’s goodness. We think because things aren’t going exactly as we planned them, God obviously isn’t being good to us. But just the opposite is true! God always has our best interest at heart! Everything He does is for our benefit—even trials!

Have you been questioning God’s goodness during a trial lately? Don’t allow Satan to take your focus off God and onto difficulties. Never forget that God has saved you from eternal punishment and has blessed you with so many things! Remember that God is always good no matter what happens in your life.

God is good, whether we think so or not!

  And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.– Exodus 24:13 

The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa, Italy—the city of his birth—but only on condition that the instrument never be played upon. It was an unfortunate condition, for it is a peculiarity of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay. The exquisite, mellow-toned violin has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic.

That violin can be compared to a Christian’s life. God, our designer and creator, made us to serve Him and to serve others. While we are busy serving Him, He gives us strength to continue on, but when we neglect to serve Him, His strength is not with us. We see a picture of this in the life of Joshua.

Joshua was a servant. He was the kind of man who delighted in serving. Notice a picture of Joseph’s life in Exodus 20:13, “And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.” Moses went up to Mount Sinai for forty days and nights, communing with God. And Joshua, Moses’ minister, waited at the base of the mountain for Moses.

In today’s fast-paced, get-ahead society, not may people want to be a minister or a helper. But Joshua delighted in being the servant of Moses—he found joy in serving others! Joshua was exhibiting the attributes of Christ as shown in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

The measure of a man’s greatness is not in how many people serve him, but in how many people he serves. Joshua was a great man and greatly used in Israel’s history because he faithfully ministered to Moses, God’s servant.

God is looking today for men and women who will be servants. People who will help a neighbor, pass out a Gospel tract, teach a Sunday school class, sing in the choir, drive a bus for the bus route, or serve in some capacity for the Lord. Joshua wasn’t simply the average Israelite who complained one day and praised God the next. He jumped into helping and stayed by Moses’ side, seeking to minister to him.

How are you serving the Lord? One of the greatest things you can do for the Lord is give yourself in service of Him. You may not be able to sing a solo, but you can help out in the nursery. You may not have the ability to preach a great sermon, but you can teach a children’s Sunday school class. God does not look at the magnitude in which you serve, but at the willingness of your heart.

Get involved in your church and ask how you can serve more. Be willing to volunteer when help is needed. And seek to serve the Lord any way you can! –From Daily in the Word