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July
31, 2006
"The Goodness of God"
Susanne Scheppmann
Co-Editor of Online Devotions, Proverbs 31 Speaker
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Key
Verse:
Psalm 100:5, "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." (NIV)
Devotion:
"Be good!" we tell our children. What exactly does that mean to us? (Usually it infers not embarrassing us.) The problem with the term "good" results from the fact that each of us has our own definition and expectations of what makes something good. For example, I love asparagus, but my children considered it a tortuous punishment if I make them taste it. For someone who loves to exercise, a personal trainer would top the list in blessings; I would rather have the flu.
Do you see what I mean about goodness, my friend? The term "goodness" is subjective to us. However, it is imperative that we believe in the goodness of God in our lives in order for us to begin to trust him in all the details of our seemingly scrambled lives.
The Bible illustrates to us the goodness and greatness of the God we serve. Psalm 136 begins with "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." The primary reason we know God is good, is that his love for us is never ending. There is nothing we can do that will make him stop loving us. The Message Bible says, "None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing-nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable-absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us (Romans 8:37-39)." The ultimate proof of God's goodness rests on the foundation of his never-ending love for us.
Psalm 136 continues to list examples of God's goodness. He does great wonders! He created the beauty of our skies and splendor of the earth. He strung the sun, the moon, and the stars in the heavens. He remembers us in our lowly position. He provides for all his creatures, including you and me.
As children of God, we ought to appreciate his goodness and provision in our lives. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me! Never send them away! For the Kingdom of God belongs to men who have hearts as trusting as these little children's (Luke 18:16 Living). Today as you ponder God's goodness and his greatness, humbly recall the first lines in the familiar mealtime blessing of childhood: "God is great. God is good." Will you become a thankful child of God, trusting in his goodness and greatness?
My
Prayer for Today:
Father God, even when my life circumstances seem out of control, help me to realize that you are good and that your love for me endures forever. Help me to realize and be thankful for your goodness to me each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Application
Steps:
Take a few minutes to list in a notebook areas in your life where God has revealed his goodness or greatness: family, home, career, pets, washing machine, refrigerator, etc. In the coming week, try adding five more examples to the list of God's provision in your life. Take a moment to thank Him for his goodness.
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