"The goodness of God endures continually" Psalm 52:1
This is a good word to think about as we begin to celebrate Thanksgiving. We have reason to give thanks in all circumstances and for all things because God is completely and infinitely good.
He is infinitely good; the creature's good is but a drop, but in God there in an infinite ocean or gathering together of good. He is eternally and immutably good, for He cannot be less good than He is; as there can be no addition made to Him, so no subtraction from Him.
- Thomas Manton
"You are good, and do good" Psalm 119:68
The origin of the word “God” comes from the Saxon and means “The Good.” I love that because it conveys the fact that God not only does good but he is goodness itself. He is the highest, the best, the most benevolent being in all the universe and this truth should have a powerful affect on how we think and what we do.
In what ways is God good to us?
1. In every good thing you have in your life, be it material or relational, we see the goodness of God (James 1:17)
2. In every difficulty we go through we see God’s benevolence towards us because it has the potential to strengthen our faith and mold us more into the image of Christ.
3. In the death of Jesus we see God’s highest good because he has not left us to rot in our sin but has graciously and mercifully given us a way of salvation. (Romans 5:8)
4. Fatigue seems to plague everyone and yet these seasons come from a good God. He gently forces us to lean on his strength instead of our own and once again it causes growth. (Isaiah 40:29)
5. We see his goodness in the way he made us. He has knit us together in perfect wisdom. (Psalm 139:14)
How should this affect us?
1. We should not be discouraged
2. We should not be afraid
3. We should not complain
4. We should not be angry
5. We should always give thanks
6. We should always be in awe
7. We should always trust
8. We should live a joyful life
But the goodness of God does not affect us in these ways when we do not truly understand or fully believe that God is omnibenevolent. I pray that God himself drives this truth deeper into my heart, and yours as well, that it grows roots and bears the fruit of greater faith and godliness.