“For the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.”
(Psalm 100:5)
Unlike the whimsical Egyptian gods and Greek mythological deities of ancient times, the one true God – the King of kings and Lord of lords – is a good God. Further, His goodness, infinite in its beauty and perfection, will never fade or diminish because God who is good is also unchangeable (Mal. 3:6). He is incapable of being anything less than perfectly good.
Goodness is not just one of God’s attributes; it is the essence of who He is (Ps. 31:19). People can possess good qualities and characteristics, but men and women are not intrinsically good. We are born with a sin nature that we inherited from Adam (Ps. 51:5). The only being who is truly good is God (Luke 18:19).
Therefore, everything God does, by extension, is also good. Scripture says, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good,” (Gen. 1:31). A good God can do no less, so the believer can rest assured that the God to whom they hold fast will do them good always, as Psalm 145:9 says, “The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.”
Regardless of our situation, God is good. If we are prosperous, God is good. If we are afflicted with pain, sorrow and suffering, God is still good. Thomas Adams said, “God is not only good in Himself, but also good to us… the sovereign God who extends mercy to His people in His goodness.”
Even when we don’t understand what God is doing or feel like He has withdrawn His presence from us, God is leading us into further experiences of His goodness – for our own good.
A good parent does not cater to their child’s every whim, nor do they keep them from difficult experiences that will make them stronger. Rather, they put them on top of a bike and give them a push, knowing they will fall a lot at first. They delay buying that new toy, knowing they won’t be happy. But that experience will teach them a greater lesson of patience. Good parents look for opportunities every day to strengthen and mature their children.
Consider, as well, a mother bird who warms and feeds her newborn babies without fail. And yet, in due time, that same mother pushes those babies out of the nest when they can’t fly because she’s a good parent. She knows that if she doesn’t, they will never learn to soar to the heights they were created for.
From the perspective of that young child or baby bird, what their good parent is doing at such times may seem cruel. But it is always for the good of that little one. Likewise, we are children of God. And to us, what God is doing in the middle of our difficulties may also seem difficult.
But in these times, we must exercise our faith and choose to believe what Scripture tells us about our Heavenly Father – that He is always good. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” (Jer. 29:11). He allows nothing to come our way that is not for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28). Augustine said, “He is true life, to turn from Him is to fall and to turn to Him is to return to goodness.”
Our God is always good, and therefore always good to us. Let us therefore love and trust Him with an affection that is greater than any other… “Love Him with all your heart.” Adore Him with all your heart.
- Lord, You are good, that I may love You; You are great, that I may fear You. Herein is the key that unlocks the door of my happiness in Christ. It is a blessed confirmation that Your goodness and Your greatness meet in me. Because of Your greatness You are able… and because of Your goodness You are willing… to save me and keep me in Your favor.
- Lord, if You were not good to me, I would be without hope. And yet You are both able, and willing, to save.
- Lord, if You had goodness without greatness, that might fail me. If You had greatness without goodness, well, that would terrify me. It is a wonderful thing that Your Gospel is the point at which mercy and truth collide, where righteousness and peace kiss each other. You are, as the psalmist said, gracious, righteous and merciful. “O give thanks to the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endures forever.” You are good, and great, and Your mercy in Christ as well as Your justice and love all endure forever. Man can have no real assurance or comfort in You unless they understand that Your great power and good will, Your glory and grace, Your majesty and mercy, all meet together in Jesus Christ.
Further References for Psalm 100:5
Ps. 106:1; Jer. 33:11; Ps. 25:8; Nah. 1:7; Deut. 7:9; Luke 1:50
