It Is Good

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | Dec 1994

Our title is a very positive statement in Scripture. Be positive not negative is a frequent plea today. The search for the positive must never cease if we are to do the Lord's will, grow spiritually, and he forthright in our testimony. The Christian, therefore, should be able to say "it is good for us to he here" when he remembers with others the Lord at the breaking of bread; or is present for the assembly prayers, the ministry of the Word, and the preaching of the gospel.

Aged Naomi sets us a good example in her wise, positive advice to eager Ruth. "It is good, my daughter", says Naomi, "that thou go out with his (Boaz) maidens, and that they meet thee not in any other field" (Ruth 2:22). Ruth was now part of the Israeli nation, perhaps after a lifetime of idolatry. Boaz had already advised her to remain with his workers, and to keep her eye on the field where they reaped (vv. 8,9). This wise advice Ruth accepted.

Being over anxious or over zealous in service can sometimes lead to mistaken judgements, and it is good to listen and act on godly advice graciously given. We are under the authority of One greater than Boaz, the Lord Jesus Christ. We should let Him direct our hearts, minds, hands, feet, into the area where we should work for Him. Let us endeavour to get His leading through our prayers and the reading of His Word. Let us not rely on "hunches" or "a kind of feeling". It is good to be led by His Spirit through the Word of God. The Lord's purpose today is for churches of God to be built up, strengthened, maintained, until He returns from heaven. Other fields may look attractive, as probably they did to Ruth, but she followed the wise advice of Boaz, a type of the Lord.

Our theme "It is good" is taken up by the psalmist who advises that, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD" (92:1). Do we need to be reminded of this? Israel did. Yes, we can be forgetful too of the blessings and kindnesses freely given to us by a thoughtful and gracious Father. The "so busy" syndrome contributes to this. But David sets us a good example with these words: "I will give Thee thanks for ever... I will wait on Thy Name, for it is good" (Ps. 52:9). Asaph, on the other hand, considered that it was good for him to draw near to God because he had made the Lord his refuge (Ps. 73:28); while the unknown author of Psalm 119 confesses that it was good for him to be afflicted so that he might learn His statutes (v.71). Yes, all Christian experience has a divine reason behind it. It is good for us to recognize the reason. Jeremiah, the prophet of the broken heart, provides these two encouraging pieces of advice. "It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD" (Lam. 3:26). How potently these words speak for themselves! And, "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth" (3:27). Are those your sentiments too?

Many aged Christians lament that they have not used more of their time for the Lord when they were endowed with the necessary health and strength. They would now encourage young men and women to avoid this failure. How much we need to remember that we are hot free to please ourselves, or "to do our own thing". We have been bought with a price - His life at Calvary - and we belong to Him. When we agreed to follow Christ the best of all masters, we took His yoke and became His servant. This was a good thing, and we plead with beloved brethren and sisters to make His good work their life's aim day by day. This is the way to contentment, joy, peace, and fruitfulness. And it is the good way!

In conclusion, let us join with the spirit of Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mat. 17:4). The three apostles were privileged to see Moses and Elijah on that memorable day, an experience they would hardly forget. More important still, they saw the Lord Jesus glorified before their eyes. His face shone like the sun; His garments became as white as light (v.2). It was Peter who exclaimed: "Lord, it is good for us to be here" (v.4). Years later Peter wrote of being in the holy mount. "We were eyewitnesses of His majesty ... there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (2 Pet. 1:1618). It was good to be there, Peter affirmed.

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Dec 1994
General