His Goodness
“And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth (Exodus 34:6).”
We serve a good God. In His character, and in His ways, He is always good. This truth comforts us as we see the evil in this world; sustains us in times of trouble, and stirs gratitude in our hearts as we observe His goodness toward us in things little and great. And, it gives us hope as we anticipate the day when He will restore all things to their state at creation—when everything He made will again be very good.
His Character is Good
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee (Psalm 86: 5). God’s goodness is a fundamental aspect of Who He is, and our belief in this revelation from His word is crucial for victorious living.
“How can a good God allow bad things to happen to good people?” You’ve probably heard this question. Sometimes spoken mockingly by a bitter individual, or sometimes asked sincerely by a hurting person, it is the cry of so many as we watch tragedy after tragedy of sin.
However, the reality of the matter is that the evil and sin we see in this world is not God’s responsibility—it is ours. The evil we see is the consequence of mankind choosing to reject God and go our own way. He is good, and we are not. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one (Psalm 14:3). The goodness of God is something that must be taken by faith when you are hurting. He is good whether my circumstances are good or not; He is good all the time.
We find the greatest manifestation of His goodness in His dying love for us. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard (Psalm 22: 24).
This verse, in the context of prophesying Christ’s death, is such a blessing! God did not remain aloof from our sin and affliction. Though He looks upon evil with an eye of judgment, He also looks on the sinner with the eye of love. In His goodness, He came down to this earth and suffered with us and for us. He experienced the pain of rejection, betrayal, loneliness, weakness, temptation, physical agony, and death. He knows what we go through, and He has given us a way of eternal rescue from sin and evil.
So, yes—there is evil, tragedy, and pain in this world. But we have a good God, and He is our Hope. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually (Psalm 52:1).
God’s Ways are Good
Since His character is good, God’s ways cannot be otherwise than good. Though our human minds can’t always understand His ways (Isaiah 55:6-7), we can trust that all He does is good!
This brings us comfort, hope, and courage to face the future. Knowing that our God is working all things for good in our life is such an anchor! And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
And it should cause us to praise Him! I don’t know about you, but it’s easy to focus on everything negative. Praise gets our eyes off ourselves and onto Jesus. Hymns like “Praise Him,” “Great God of Wonders,” and “Man of Sorrows” exalt our Savior, helping us lift our hearts in worship to Him. He is worthy!
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:15).
God’s Gifts are Good
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17).
If I were to start numbering the good gifts God gives me, I don’t think I’d ever stop! 😊 The past couple years, I’ve sought to open my eyes more to see, recognize, and appreciate these gifts.
First there are the spiritual gifts…salvation, hope, joy, peace, comfort, His everlasting love, guidance, sufficient grace for every need. All these are mine (and yours!) in Christ Jesus. And these are gifts that no one can ever take away. Even if He never gave us another good gift in our life, these should be enough to make us praise Him! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness (Psalm 107:9).
But there are so many other good gifts. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD (Psalm 33:5). Lately, my pastor preached a series of sermons on learning from God’s creation (which we know He pronounced “good” in Genesis 1). Many sent amazing nature photos to my pastor, which he showed as part of his messages. Isn’t God’s creation just incredible?
I saw the “moon-setting” a couple nights ago, and that shining, perfectly crescent moon surrounded by trillions of stars was a stunning picture of beauty. I’d encourage you to take the time to notice and enjoy God’s handiwork as you go about your life. You won’t regret it!
I don’t know where you are in your life right now; perhaps you’re hurting and struggling to see God’s goodness. Believe to see His goodness, because He is always good. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living (Psalm 27: 14).
Or, maybe you’re rejoicing in wonderful gifts that He’s given you—look beyond the gift and worship the Giver! Whatever the case, may this prayer for the Thessalonian believers be fulfilled in our lives as well. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess. 1:11-12). Amen!
I would love to hear below if you have a testimony of God’s goodness in your life recently! 😊
