ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 SAPATE ‘EPELELI 26, 2026

2 TU’I 18-19; KOLOSE 2:8-10

Nothing is more sure, faithful, and hope-giving than the perfect goodness of the Lord.

‘Oku ‘ikai mo ha me’a ‘e toe pau ange, faitonunga ange, mohu ‘amanaki ange, ka ko e lelei haohaoa ‘a e ‘Otua.

Years ago I came across a brief epitaph, but it was perhaps the best summary of a life one could give. In fact, I would like these five little words to be said of me: "He was a good man." More than being successful, more than being powerful, more than being rich, more than acquiring public acclaim, I aspire to live a life that is good. To be good is to be morally pure, patient and faithful, loving and generous. It means you live a Godward life. But as much as I am encouraged by a person's life that can be characterized as good, there is no goodness like the goodness of the Lord. God's word records Israel's moral wandering, the chaos of their idolatry, and the works of evil king after evil king. But what jumps off the pages of Scripture is the stunning goodness of the Lord. He will not return evil for evil, and he will not forsake his covenant promises.

You can't read this history without concluding that hope is never found in human plans or power. Hope is never found in human strength or wisdom. Hope is never found in human spirituality or righteousness. Hope is never found in dabbling in the philosophy or religions of the world. Hope is only ever found in one place: the goodness of the Lord. That goodness shines in 2 Kings 18:1-8:

In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; wherever he went out, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him. He struck down the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.

Just when you think things will only get darker for God's children, God raises up a righteous, faithful, and God-worshiping king - not because the people deserve it, but because God is that good. Because of Hezekiah, Israel experiences moral and spiritual renewal and renewed power against their enemies. When his children are faithless, God remains faithful. This was the hope of God's children of old, and it is our hope today.