The Goodness of God -- part 2
Last week we started this short study of the goodness of God and I left you with an assignment. Were you more aware of the goodness of God in your life as you went through your daily routines and life experiences? I am sure our God demonstrated His goodness towards you in innumerable ways!
Let’s continue our study now and look at several other examples of the goodness of the Lord.
God is the very Source of goodness. He is not evil.
It would be good to read through all of Psalm 103, but let’s look particularly at verse eight. Psalm 103: 8 (NIV) – “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger,
abounding in love.”
Mothers of Nations, our God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. Through Him, all things were created. Yes, He is the Source of all things. Let’s look at a few verses that reveal this truth about His goodness.
1 Corinthians 8: 6 (NIV) -- “Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”
In James 1: 17 we read that that every good gift and every perfect gift comes from the Father of lights. Also in Psalm 16: 2 (NIV) the psalmist declares: “I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.’”
We can certainly agree with this truth. The Lord God is our Maker and truly every good thing comes from Him.
God does only good things.
In Psalm 119: 68 (NIV) the writer (most likely David) declares, “You are good, and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees.” Despite all that David experienced, all his ups and downs, he continued to declare that the Lord was good. Let’s read through several of the verses from this Psalm.
Verses 65-72 (NIV):
65 Do good to Your servant, according to Your word, Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust Your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your word.
68 You are good, and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees.
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in Your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees.
72 The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Mothers of Nations, do you concur with what David says in verse 68? Do your life experiences and your relationship with the Lord support David’s declaration when he says, “You are good, and what You do is good. Teach me Your decrees.”
Before we conclude today’s entry, let’s look at one more example of God’s goodness and how it changes our lives.
God turns bad things, bad experiences, etc. to good.
One of my favorite, most encouraging Scriptures is Romans 8: 28 (NKJV) – “ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Mothers of Nations, think about the example of Joseph’s life. He went from the pit to Potiphar’s house. Then he went to prison and finally ended up in the palace. Joseph experienced trials, temptations, testings, life teachings, and also triumph. The evil and turmoil that his brothers initiated towards him finally was turned to good by God.
This says it all where we read that Joseph spoke to his brothers in Genesis 50: 19-20.
“Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
If anyone knew that God could turn bad things to good, Joseph certainly did!
Next week we will conclude our discussion about the goodness of God. May you experience His goodness in your life in these days to come!
Dr. Sharon Predovich
