These days I have been waking up with an old song in my heart – “God is good all the time, He put a song of praise in this heart of mine. God is good…Through the darkest night, His light will shine. God is good, yes, He is, God is good.” The song continues how God walks with us in the valley times and promises to never forsake us.
Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the LORD IS GOOD; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” How do we ‘taste and see” the Lord? Week 33 we studied God’s trustworthiness and last week we looked at His mercy. They all tie together beautifully. When we take refuge in the Lord’s mercy and love, it shows that we trust Him, even if our situation or circumstances are good or bad. Leaning on God during hardships are when we truly taste and experience His goodness the most.
Psalm 107 is a typical Psalm of thanksgiving, where it talks about people who were in severe trials – hungry, thirsty and in distress. Others were depressed and in bondage, while others suffered afflictions because of their iniquities, or they were in perilous storms on the oceans. But each group cried out to God and He rescued them mercifully, so they could utter – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever.”
Once we have tasted the goodness of God, we can never turn our backs on Him, but serve Him with undivided, sincere, grateful hearts! Psalm 25:8-9 says, “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way.”
When we remain faithful to the Holy Trinity – Abba Father God, Jesus our Redeemer and blessed Holy Spirit, then we can declare Psalm 27:13 – “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!”
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5
Blessed loving Lord, thank You for Nahum 1:7 which states, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him” and for Psalm 84:11 – “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Thank You for Your infinite goodness, grace, love, and mercy! We adore You precious Lord and Saviour! Amen
Myrtle Turunen