How different from the one, true God of the Bible! The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ—is portrayed as inherently, essentially good.
“Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.” Psalm 25:8
When you’ve got relationship troubles, or confusion about what to do next, or regret over past mistakes, where do you turn? What or whom do you lean on?
In Psalm 25, we read that David found encouragement in placing his hope in God (verse 5). We’re not sure about his precise situation, but he mentioned enemies, he hinted at guilt, and he confessed to being lonely. Still, even with all this “distress” (verse 18), David affirmed his faith in God.
What specific attribute about God gave David hope? We find a clue in the words “you, LORD, are good” (verse 7). What a contrast between the “good God” of David and the other gods of the ancient world!
These regional deities were known for their petty, vindictive behavior. People actually believed that most of the destruction and chaos in the world was the result of the gods’ lusts, vanity, and selfishness.
How different from the one, true God of the Bible! The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ—is portrayed as inherently, essentially good.
What does divine goodness look like? We find the answers scattered elsewhere in the Word.
Because our God is good,
• He cannot be in the presence of sin or evil (Isaiah 59:2).
• He forgives sin (1 John 1:9).
• He grants repentant sinners the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19–21).
• He has plans to bless His people (Jeremiah 29:11–13).
• He works ceaselessly for our complete transformation (Philippians 1:6).
• He remains faithful even when we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:13).
• He helps us overcome temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
• He provides perfect peace to those who trust Him (Isaiah 26:3).
• He judges with impartiality (Psalm 9:8).
God does all these good things (and more) for us because He is intrinsically good. And David knew from experience that God’s goodness transcends losses, overcomes failures, overshadows hurts, and defeats discouragement.
Those who wait for God’s goodness will not be disappointed.
How have you recently experienced God’s goodness in your life?
Prayer:
God, in a world filled with badness, Your goodness is sometimes difficult for me to see and trust. Give me spiritual eyes to see the width and depth and height and breadth of Your irrepressible goodness. Amen.