The Goodness of God

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Psalm 145: 5-7 *all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted

God’s goodness is one of his fundamental attributes.  God is perfectly good and righteous.  Psalm 92:15 reminds us that there is no evil or sin in Him.  God cannot be unjust, lose his temper, harbor bitterness, envy, lie or cheat.  He cannot do any wrong.  He cannot even desire to do wrong.  It is in violation of His own perfect nature.  His disposition and His actions are always perfectly good and right.  Sometimes, when things seem to be “going wrong” in our world, we project our human idea of “goodness” onto God, rather than allowing the scriptures to define what it means.  Let’s take some time to be reminded of the ways we see God’s goodness.

God’s Goodness  is our Refuge

No matter what we face in life, we can always find safety and comfort in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.  He is our refuge, our protector, and our source of strength.  When we put our trust in Him, we can be confident that He will care for us and guide us through even the most challenging of circumstances.  

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him.”

Nahum 1:7

God’s Goodness can be Experienced 

When we experience the goodness of God for ourselves, we discover that his love and care are more than just words on a page.  They are living and active in our lives, filling us with hope and joy. When you taste or see something, it isn’t just something you’ve heard about or believe—it’s something you’ve experienced. You can testify to its truth.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good…”

Psalm 34:8

God’s Goodness is Eternal

God’s goodness is not just a temporary blessing; it is a lasting attribute of His character.  His love endures forever, and His faithfulness remains unshakeable through every generation.   When we cling to this truth, we can have confidence that no matter what life throws our way, we can trust in the goodness and faithfulness of our God.

“For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” 

Psalm 100:5

God’s Goodness is Unconditional  

God is good even though we don’t deserve it.  God’s goodness is not only evident in the blessings He bestows upon us, but also in His character.  We imperfect humans are often quick to anger and hesitant to show compassion.  However, His character is unfathomably gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.  When we undeservedly experience His mercy and kindness, we can’t help but be filled with gratitude and awe for who He is.  

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate , slow to anger and rich in love.” 

Psalm 145:8

God’s Goodness is a Gift  

All of the goodness in our lives ultimately comes from God. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift and His generosity knows no bounds.  As we recognize the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. May we never forget to give thanks to the One who made it all possible. 

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17

God’s Goodness is in Trials

Life is hard for many reasons, but through it all we are being made more into the image of God. Jesus is greater than every hardship; he is victorious over every pain. All of life’s tragedies, sorrows, and iniquities should ultimately lift our gaze to the day when the sinful difficulties of life will be taken away and the tensions of life will only and fully point us toward the goodness and glory of Jesus. 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

Prayer

As you spend time with the Lord today, ask God to open your heart and eyes to see His goodness in your daily life. Pray for a deeper awareness of His blessings and an increased ability to experience His love personally.  Pray for the ability to fully trust God in difficult times, asking Him to help you seek refuge in Him rather than in temporary solutions or worldly comforts.  Lift up any current struggles or hardships to God, asking Him to strengthen your faith and help you see how He is working through the situation for your growth and His glory.  Lastly,  take out a piece of paper and a pen and start writing down all the ways you see His goodness in your life at this moment.  You will be surprised at how easily thoughts will flow once you get started.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies  You honor me by anointing my dead with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.  

Psalm 23 NLT