Have you ever been in an argument with someone who said, “You always __________” or “You never __________” [fill in the blank]? Immediately you start running that scenario through your mind, searching your memory for that one time you actually did [stay under budget, get ready to leave on time, etc.] or didn’t [forget to put gas in the car, save important tax receipts, etc.]
I’ve heard the advice that you shouldn’t use “absolute” words like “always” and “never” in an argument because let’s face it – those are usually exaggerations. Maybe it’s rare that you’re ready to leave the house on time, but it’s likely happened at least once or twice in the past!
But thankfully there are absolutes when it comes to God. And Psalm 145:17 is a wonderful reminder of this.
“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.”
Do you see that word “all”? It’s not “some” of His ways or “most” of His works. It’s all. Every. single. one.
So let’s break this down.
All of the Lord’s ways are righteous. We think of righteous as morally right, and it is. It also means just. Whatever God does is right and just.
We know that in a big-picture sense. But when it comes down to what happens to you and
Maybe we’re in the middle of a situation that just doesn’t fit with what we think should be happening to us. In our humanity, we can begin to doubt that God is working what’s right for us. But that’s because we can only see it from our point of view, with human limitations and lack of eternal perspective.
Nothing can come from God but good. We have to cling to this truth. Because of His character, He can only do what is right. Just because we don’t understand His ways doesn’t mean they aren’t good and just.
So what are we to do when God’s ways seem unjust to us? It’s that word that easy to say and hard to live.
Trust.
Trust
The second part of the verse tells us that He’s holy in all His works.
Several commentaries say that the Hebrew word for “holy” here is usually translated “merciful.” How thankful we are for both of those traits – His holiness and His mercy!
When God works, He isn’t like we are. There are no hidden motives. He works from a heart that is always pure and plans everything for our good. And in the hard and difficult moments, we have to also trust in His mercy.
Remember Lamentations 3:22-23? “It is of the
All of God’s works are wrapped in His mercy. Without it, there’d be no hope for us.
In God, truth and mercy meet together in perfect harmony.
Today let’s take comfort in the always righteous ways and holy works of God.
Related posts:
- Trusting His Grace When I Can’t See His Face
- On Trusting God’s Purpose When I Just Want an Easier Life
- What Ruth Teaches Me About Trusting God
We were out of town last week, visiting the Creation Museum, the Ark, and going on another history tour, this one of the Nashville area. And I’ve been so busy this week trying to get back into things that I’m just now doing any blog reading.
It is amazing that with God “all” means “all.” Every single time. Everything He does is good. Every single thing. It’s hard to wrap my head around!
That sounds like such a fun trip!!! Hope you post some highlights on your blog. 🙂
You know, when bad things happen in my life, my initial reaction has never been to *blame* God. I definitely question, perhaps while royally wailing on the floor, “WHHHYYYYYY?!” But I’ve never been mad at Him. Is that weird? Does that make sense? I get mad and hate how unfair certain things feel, but it’s always the timing and circumstances that have me upset, not the character of God.
Actually I do understand because I think I’m similar. I don’t believe I get mad at God either. I feel hurt or disappointed, and, like you, I may question why this is happening, but I’m not necessarily angry.
Now that I think about it, there was something we went through last year and I got to a point where I felt like I just couldn’t pray. I suppose I felt like God hadn’t answered a prayer I’d been praying, so why would I continue? Even then, though, I wasn’t angry – more like empty. Of course God in His mercy brought me through that!!
YESYESYES! It’s always seemed to be a common refrain, especially after a tragedy, that people are “mad at God” and “blame Him” for whatever has happened…and I’ve just never felt it that way. Even when my Dad had a stroke my senior year of high school, I cried to God, “Why?!” but never “You did this!” Again, CERTAINLY NOT that I’m never upset over this stuff (I’m a queen wallower 🤣) but I guess it’s always questioning why, not questioning my faith.