Project Description

2014/05

Our Good God

Language inevitably changes from generation to generation. Often this poses no problems. But ask your parents what it meant ‘to tweet’ when they were young! Today we use words like ‘awesome’, ‘wonderful’, ‘adorable’ to describe the most mundane of items – from a video game to a teddy bear – when really they are more appropriate for God. He alone is truly worthy of awe, wonder and adoration!.

Another word that is often used without much thought is the word ‘good.’ Chips are good, school is good, and holidays are good. All true! But what do we mean when we say: ‘God is good’? “…there is none good but one, that is, God…” (Matthew 19:17). Do we simply mean He is not bad? Well, the verse in Matthew 19 shows us that God is always morally good. He can never act in a way that is sinful or wicked. He is good, so all He does is good. “Thou art good and doest good” (Psalm 119:68). But God’s goodness often speaks of His kindness, benevolence and generosity. Satan delights when we hold harsh views of God. He suggests as much to Eve in Genesis 3:1- ‘if God were good He would allow you access to every tree.’  Our God is precise and just in His dealings with sin while also delighting to give and to bless. All he gives is good. (James 1:17)

He is good to all His creatures. “The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.” (Psalm 145:9, also Matthew 5:45) We know God is good in light of the fact that we are not immediately consigned to hell. (Romans 2:4) If you are not a Christian, the fact that you are reading this is due to God’s goodness – He would have you turn from sin to Christ!

But God is especially good to His people.  “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.”  (Psalm 73:1) “The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.” (Lamentations 3:25) He delights to forgive the sins of those who repent and trust in him. “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.” (Psalm 86:5) His goodness gives grace for every need.  “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble” (Nahum 1:7) “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.” (Psalm 106:1)

So, young people, as your mother probably says: ‘Be good!’  Luke 6v35 states: “But…do good…” Be like God!

Dr. Stephen Pollock.