In these difficult times of wars and uncertainties, many people fail to see and realize the goodness of God. God’s goodness includes His infinitely generous attitude toward us and His provision and protection towards us. He longs to bring joy and blessings to those who put their trust in Him. “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7) and Jeremiah 17:7 says – “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.” When we trust the Lord and give ALL our fears, our anxieties and our needs into His blessed hands and leave them there, for HIM to do what He deems best – we will experience the goodness of a Father who delights in loving, helping and defending His children.
“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6) “The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” (Psalm 145:9)
King David, who was chosen by Almighty God to lead his people, and who sinned greatly but then also repented deeply, realized Abba Father’s mercy and goodness and was not ashamed to express it in the many Psalms he wrote to glorify God. We can surely learn from some of them and put them into practice.
“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8) To “taste” means to try or test something personally, like sampling food to know its flavour, rather than just reading a recipe. It is knowledge acquired through prayer, scripture, and trusting God with life’s challenges. To see is to understand, where personal experience brings spiritual awareness, insight, and recognition of God’s hand at work. The AMP version of this verse states – “O taste and see that the LORD (our God) is good; How blessed (fortunate, prosperous, and favoured by God) is the man who takes refuge in Him.”
Psalm 110:5 says – “For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.” Online definition for being devoted, states; “To be devoted to someone means to be extremely loving, loyal, and dedicated to him/her, often going above and beyond to show care and commitment. It involves placing high value on the person, often prioritizing his/her well-being, and demonstrating constant affection and support through actions rather than just words.”
Those words really gripped me, that Abba Father is DEDICATED to us, that His goodness exceeds anyone else’s goodness towards us, that He values and treasures us, and prioritizes our well-being, supports us and loves us, even when we are faithless, or when we fail to do that which He calls us to do – God remains faithful and good towards us.
In Psalm 119 David expressed that he used to wander off God’s paths and sin, until God disciplined him and he learned to follow His word. In verse 68 David prayed to Father God and said – “You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.” Once we learn the goodness of God and His endless mercies and love towards us; we will desire to learn His ways and follow them closely.
Therefore, we need to continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Phil. 2:12b + 13)
Beloved, holy and most precious Abba Father God, thank You that You are good, merciful and kind. Your divine, infinite, and unending goodness is sometimes beyond our understanding, but we are so grateful for it! Your goodness remains steady, enduring, patient, and loving, providing a source of strength, hope, and compassion to us, no matter what challenges we face or troubles we go through. THANK YOU and thank You that we can trust You now and always and that You take delight in us, that You even rejoice over us with singing and calm us with Your love and Your goodness! (Zeph. 3:17) In Jesus Name we praise and thank You again. Amen
Myrtle Turunen