The Goodness of God

“What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?” Ps 116:12

I am frequently humbled by God’s goodness. All the little things I know He does for me. Why is He so good to me? How can I ever repay him?

I can’t repay him, nor does He ask me to. He is good to me, because it is actually who he is, not just something he tries to do. He can’t help but be good, just like He can’t help but love – It is who He Is.

It occurred to me today that many people do not know of God’s goodness. Maybe you know of his power, judgment, glory or maybe you are aware of his love. But his goodness is like a sweet nectar for our soul.

 

God is good all the time.

His goodness is something he embodies, as well a being something he pours over us. In a world where pure goodness is hard to find, we may struggle with what it means for God to be good and demonstrate goodness. Inextricably linked with His love, he showers us with his goodness and He has no hidden agenda. He’s not good just to hook us in, then start demanding things from us. His is good all the time

 

God’s Goodness is Real

God’s goodness is not just a mushy feeling. He demonstrates His goodness in real, measurable ways.

I have a friend who experienced God’s very real goodness recently. There is a person this friend greatly admires who was hosting a conference. When my friend found out about it, she wanted to go and looked into the details. She found that the cost of the conference was too high for her current young artist budget. She decided, sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. A few weeks later, this very person she admires so much contacted her and asked if she would be willing to play at his conference!! (Small side note: My friend is a crazy talented musician.) Obviously, this meant she not only did not need to pay to go, but was given even more access and benefits than if she had paid to attend.

 

God’s Goodness is Intentional

God’s goodness is frequently demonstrated in very intentional circumstances which support and prove the purity of His love for us. His love for us is so vast, deep and pure, that we have a hard time comprehending it. For our benefit, God pours out his goodness intentionally to illuminate His love in a way we can understand.

For my friend, getting to go to this conference wasn’t just a simple gift of provision. God created a situation where she was provided for but beyond that, a desire of her heart was fulfilled, her calling as a artist was confirmed and she was given several days of retreat surrounded by people learning to radically love others. The timing of this gift to her was beyond perfect. She needed all of those expressions of God’s goodness and His love.

I was overjoyed in just hearing what God had done for her because it showed me how good God is and how boundless is His love for each of us. He loves to orchestrate these detailed displays for all of us, that penetrate profoundly into our souls.

 

God’s Goodness Draws Us Closer to Him

How can the result of such lavishness cause anything less than us pulling closer to God? His real, intentional goodness causes us to trust him on a deeper level, to delight in His presence more, and to explore His mysteries.

God wants us to love him!!

He has gone to extraordinary lengths for us to have the freedom to turn to him and just love him. That truth is so humbling to me. Yet, that is the truth!

 

Will you allow God’s goodness to overwhelm you today? He is the truest, most faithful lover of your soul. He is unchanging is His desire to love you and have His love felt by you.

I pray that any fear that keeps you from deep communion with God would be removed by His absolutely perfect love and His incredible goodness!

 

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” psalm 23:6