GOD IS GOOD

by abazgrl (juanita weiss) at www.weissministries.com

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good” (Psalm 136:1 boldface added).
That is what the psalmist declares, and that is what we must believe if we are to serve Him — that God is GOOD.

I remember when teaching World Literature in high school, we read myths and stories from different cultures about the origin of the world. Most of the gods depicted in those stories were not omnipotent. One of them, for example, needed the help of animals to create the world. Most of the gods were not omniscient. One god could be tricked to get into a box and to have his opponent nail it shut so that he could not get out. Most were not benevolent — they were petty, mean, and spiteful. Some duped the humans they made, or sent wild animals to devour them, or used them as pawns — like chess pieces.

Only our God is good. Let’s establish this first — There is no other god, but the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The psalmist stays, “All the gods of the nations are idols, but Yahweh created the heavens.” Then to trust Him or believe Him or to love Him or even to know Him, we must get past this one fundamental fact about God: HE IS GOOD!

I know. The world is a mess! The History of mankind is crazy! People are mean! Your house is in foreclosure. Your children are incorrigible! Your marriage is on the rocks! Your future looks bleak! AND you must get to the fact that GOD IS GOOD. His goodness is not predicated upon the things that are going on around us! He is good when everything is bad! He was always good and will always be good!

He gives us free will so that we can make choices — even the choice not to serve Him or to even believe that He is good! Amazing!

We have the only God who condescended to instill the essence of His goodness not only into human language but into human flesh. Then He subjected himself to the ills of these creatures He made so that they would know that He loved them. Then He died in their place so there would be no doubt and no obstacle to this love. Yes, indeed, God is good!

Whether his goodness is reflected in the bluegrass tunes of Don Moen, or the sweet, passionate voice of Kari Jobe, or the soulful, joyous melodies of Israel Houghton, they all declare the same thing: “GOD IS GOOD”! Enjoy the music:

Comments

  1. Amazakai says:

    There is such peace in accepting this truth about the Creator. That in spite of the chaos around us, God is still Good. Probably most of us at some time or another have blamed God for our misfortunes, mishaps or pain. But I can testify that through all of the many processes of my own experiences, its been God, in Messiah, Our Lord, that has got me through. He has never been responsible for the offenses against us. He has been the deliverer from the offenses against us. There is such a peace in knowing that. If we can understand fully that this is why He came, to free us, the trials and tribulations of past, present and future are far easier to take when we can look at the hills and know there is a rock higher than these hills from where our help comes! It’s a cool breeze of simple truth “God is Good”

    • “when we can look at the hills and know there is a rock higher than these hills from where our help comes! It’s a cool breeze of simple truth “God is Good”
      I LOVE THE POETRY OF YOUR WORDS! That “God is Good” It is a simple truth that is difficult to believe — even by most believers! Father, help us daily, moment by moment, to feel that cool breeze wafting from heaven!

  2. Amazakai says:

    “That “God is Good” It is a simple truth that is difficult to believe — even by most believers!”

    When I initially read this, I had a soul reaction that I had to think on. Pardon me for saying, but although true, from both a faith and logical perspective, this makes little sense. “Even the demons believe and tremble” Why are they trembling? Perhaps at Gods goodness as opposed to their own sheer wickedness. So I guess a question to pose to the believers who have trouble with believing that God is Good is as follows; what caused them to believe in the first place? A believer is a believer because they believe the truth, to believe otherwise, the question should be asked, are they truly a believer?

    • I felt incredible love when I gave my life to Jesus. But there was that image that I had of God as I grew up of him being a stern, almost vengeful Being! I would not have articulated that at the time b/c I did not see it as anything foreign. I was afraid to go to clubs or be late to church b/c I thought that God would strike me down. I did go to clubs and I was late to church, but I was fearful. I even thought that I could appease Him by going to church even after I had gone to the club. I believed in Him, felt His love when I surrendered my life to Him, but I did not know that my skewed view of God rendered Him as not entirely good. What do you think — was I truly a believer? If I had died with that belief, would I have gone to heaven . . . or hell?

  3. Amazakai says:

    Well in this case, its obvious that He did not allow you to remain with that skewed view. That was past tense. You must have had a moment, where you realized that He is Good, and not just hoped He was? You testify of knowing He is good now. So a matter of Heaven and Hell at the time? Well, that’s not my judgment to make, however, it may be a very fair deduction to conclude that He wants us to know and love Him for Who he is and worship in spirit and in Truth according to His Word. We are to Fear Him in Love and reverence indeed, but not that he is standing in heaven waiting for us to mess up and do it all wrong and stomp us out. I believe that faulty thinking comes from faulty religion and doctrine, that leaves no room for having an intimate relationship with our creator. So if there is no relationship based on Truth, are we still separated? So, those who are serving out of a spirit of fear, as opposed to as spirit of reverential love and respect because our hearts believe him worthy of it? Honestly, I can relate to those same fears, but then I can also honestly say, well, I was not a true believer, not in hindsight, because I did not understand the Merciful and Loving God he really was. I am glad that He stuck with me long enough for me to see it, that I can honestly know now I am a true believer. There is no doubt He is Good and I can serve Him reverently in Joy as opposed to a spirit of fear. We can do “what if” all day long, but the truth is, He was too good to allow us to continue to serve him in a manner where He calls us “servant” as opposed to “friend”. I would rather serve him as “friend” as opposed to “servant”. I guess I never gave it much thought until now…but I am glad I did. In the long run, I believe God, in His Goodness, knows the hearts of those who truly long to serve Him in Spirit and truth, even if they are submerged with faulty doctrines, dogmas in influences, and is too good, to allow anyone with such a heart to perish from the earth, without tasting His Goodness in the Land of the Living. Does everyone have that Heart? Only God knows, but I pray they do. Shalom….

    • “I believe God, in His Goodness, knows the hearts of those who truly long to serve Him in Spirit and truth, even if they are submerged with faulty doctrines, dogmas in influences, and is too good, to allow anyone with such a heart to perish from the earth, without tasting His Goodness in the Land of the Living”

      I agree with this statement, Amazakai! It flushed me with deep love for our God . . . b/c that is where I was! I was brought to faith by a pastor who cried for souls . . . but I was never brought to an understanding of a relationship with God. Then God took me to a church where the pastor talked incessantly about having a “relationship” with God and how he had fallen in love with Jesus. It blew my mind! A man saying that about another man that had nothing to do with perversion. Amazing! God saw my heart . . . and what I would become. He would not let me stay in a play of complacency in my affections for Him! all b/c HE’S JUST THAT GOOD!
      Thank you, Amazakai!

  4. Amazakai says:

    I guess we can just say we are grateful to know today that God is Good and agree in prayer that all believers can confidently belief this to be true? Amen?

    Blessings!