“And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.”
(Psalm 143:2)
Life presents us with a myriad of experiences, some positive and comforting and others difficult and challenging. Yet in the ebb and flow of existence, the goodness of God is forever constant and unchanging. As 17th century Bishop of Norwich Edward Reynolds notes, “God is the source of all good things. He will not enter into judgment with his people but will be the source of all good for them (Psalm 143:2).”[1]
The scriptures overflow with reminders that God is the source of all good: “There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us,” (Psalm 4:6). And “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning,” (James 1:17).
Not only is God the source of all good; He is also the sustainer of all that is good, noble, and right. From Him alone flows the virtue that we sometimes mistakenly attribute to mere things or people. Remember the woman who was healed by simply touching Christ’s garment? The healing virtue was not in the fabric of Christ’s clothing but in Christ Himself (Luke 8:44).
The psalmist states it this way, “in God alone is the fountain of life,” (Psalm 36:9). The implications of this thoughtful statement are both comforting and humbling. This means that the divine being who fashioned the universe is the same being who provides every good, life-giving thing – both temporal and spiritual – that we enjoy. Even when we experience adversity, God’s intent remains rooted in His eternal “life-giving” purpose in that His grace and mercy reward the good, and His justice handles the evil.
Meditating on this truth brings certain revelations, the first of which is that we cannot attain divine happiness through our strength alone. We need God to enjoy God. Secondly, to truly understand what is good, we must trace it back to God in terms of both the source and the motive, and not just the thing itself. Thirdly, we cannot boast about our own achievements or “goodness,” for it is God who enables us for every good thing. Finally, when those inevitable challenges arise, recalling God’s goodness should guide our response. Just as a doctor might cause momentary pain for long-term healing, even life’s challenges are ultimately for our benefit.
In summary, realizing that God is truly the source of all good things correctly shapes our perspective on life. We learn to trust more deeply, act more humbly, and love more profoundly. And so, may we continually seek His face and appreciate His hand in every facet of our lives.
Contemplations:
- On the Goodness of God: Every time I witness a sunrise or experience an unexpected kindness, I am reminded of Psalm 36:9, that in God alone is “the fountain of life.” It’s comforting to know that every beautiful thing, every moment of joy, has its source in Him.
- The Source of our Strength: I often find myself drained, feeling like I cannot go on. Yet, in those moments, Scripture reminds me that the strength I seek doesn’t come from my own might but from God, who sanctifies and strengthens me (Phil. 2:13; 2 Tim. 2:25).
- On Discernment: Discerning between right and wrong in my life has always been a challenge. But when I trace my actions back to their origins, I gain clarity. If they’re rooted in God’s love and His Word, I know I’m on the right path (James 1:17; Psalm 119:68).
- Facing Adversity: There are days when I question the challenges I face. Yet, understanding that God uses even the tough times for His glory and my growth brings peace to my heart. It’s like the refining fire that purifies gold; the heat is intense, but the result is precious (Heb. 12:11; Isa. 48:10).
Further References for Psalm 143:2:
Psalm 130:3; Job 9:3; Gal. 2:16; 1 John 1:10
[1] Edward Reynolds, “Israel’s Prayer in Time of Trouble, with God’ Gracious Answer Thereunto an Explication of the Fourteenth Chapter of Hosea,” in An Exposition of the Prophecy of Hosea, ed. James Sherman (Edinburgh; London: James Nichol; James Nisbet & Co., 1863), 624.
