The Goodness of God
By George Stroh
May 21, 2012
How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of man! (Psalms 31:19)
I like The Gaither Vocal Band song lyrics;"God is good... Yes He is... He's good all the time!" Have you noticed that when good things happen to unbelievers, they take the credit. It's because of their wise decisions, talent, education or hard work. But when bad things happen, God is often blamed. The truth is that God is good all the time; The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works. (Psalm 145:9)
Of course God's goodness, His enduring mercy and His amazing grace are most clearly demonstrated in the sacrifice and salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ; For God so love the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16) But God's goodness toward sinners, those who continue to reject Him and salvation in Jesus Christ, will end. His holiness demands justice including punishment for sin. And the penalty for sin is death is eternal separation from the goodness of God; For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
God's goodness is also seen in His patience towards sinners. But those sinners who continue to reject His goodness and the forgiveness of sin offered through faith in Christ, are living on borrowed time; The Lord is not slow about His promise (His second coming and judgment), as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
The goodness of God must not be taken for granted. His goodness and mercy will suddenly turn to judgment and wrath for sinners who continue to reject the gospel of Christ Jesus; For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)
But those of us who fear Him and take refuge in Him, who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, are always comforted and encouraged by God's goodness. As king David wrote; Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6) God is good... Yes He is! Maranatha!
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