The Goodness of God

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures. . . . But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. —Titus 3:3–5, ESV

While driving to work the other day, I was brought to tears by a song that played on the radio. The words told how faithful the Lord has been all my life and how He has been so good to me. It reminded me of a situation I had tried hard to forget over the years. When I was younger and not so wise, I dated a guy I should never have allowed into my life. I soon discovered he had a drug habit, and like all addicts, he would do almost anything to get his drugs. One evening he stopped by my apartment and demanded money I did not have.

The situation became very tense.

When he did not get what he wanted, he pulled out a knife and thrust it toward my abdomen. I braced for the impact and inevitable pain, but instead the knife hit something that sounded like rubber and flew out of his hand.

The knife bounced on the floor and into the sink around the corner in the kitchen. The guy was so shocked that he abruptly left without making any further demands. Unbelievable! How in the world did the knife bounce around the wall and into the next room? All I could say was “Thank You, Jesus!” I know He saved my life that night.

When it comes to possible and impossible, Matthew tells us, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’ ” (Matthew 19:26, ESV). Everything happened so quickly, and I do not remember having time to pray; however, Isaiah reminds us, “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24, ESV). I believe God sent an angel to stand in front of me and block the knife. There is simply no other explanation. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV).

The Lord spared my life and has blessed me with many more days, and I will thank Him for the rest of my life. I will praise Him because my life has a purpose, and I will continually sing of the goodness of God!

Sylvia A. Franklin