I mentioned that the idea had started to burn in me that it will soon be too late to declare god is good.
A time is coming when saying 'God is good' will be trite and easily dismissed.

'God is good' needs to be declared while he is taking us through situations we don't want to be in.
Not after he has brought us safely through them.

A few weeks ago my wife, Jenny, spoke about her healing.
This is not a word about healing at the resurrection, but about seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

We have felt for some time that there is more to this than Jenny's sickness / healing. Jenny mentioned that there is still work for her to do.
To put it crudely 'There are bigger fish to catch'. There is an old song with the line 'with eternities values in view ...'.

We read in Job about what he feared.
His big fear was not poverty or sickness - but he was afraid of cursing god.

Jesus told a parable about a guy who told his boss (the man who represented God in the parable) 'I knew you to be a hard man'.
Is that your image of God - 'a hard man'?

Jenny spoke of the tenderness and love of God.
Him being a father and mother to us.
Where is that in our situation?
It is about a relationship with Jesus.
Wrapping our arms around him like a child.

I recall a story of an elocution competition.
One man knew the Psalm 23, another man knew the shepherd of Psalm 23.

Do you know the shepherd or do you feel like the person in the unauthorised version of Psalm 23?

I would not want - if I was willing to open my hands.
It takes a rugby tackle to make me lie in green pastures.
I sit screaming beside quiet waters.

Been there and done that. Sometimes feel I'm still there!

Jesus spoke about his sheep hearing his voice (John 10v27).
If I listen to His voice and follow I won't know all the answers but I will know that 'GOD IS GOOD'.

I said something along these lines at church the other week...
http://biggod.org.uk/media/recordings/2017-07-02-Jonathan.mp3

You LORD are my shepherd, I will never be in need.
You let me rest in fields of green grass.
You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life.

You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.
I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid.
You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe.

You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch.
You honour me as your guest,
And you fill my cup until it overflows.

Your kindness and love will always be with me, each day of my life,
And I will live for ever in your house, LORD.

P.S. 'I won't be afraid'  - is that a command to be obeyed?
Do commands like that frighten you?
Many see the Bible as a book full of 'Do Nots'.
They are right it is '..., do not be afraid, ..., do not be afraid, ..., do not be afraid, ...'
Its not a command, its a promise 'I have no need to be afraid'!
Do you need to know the shepherd? A little talk with Jesus...