God is Good 

“Where in the Bible does it say that God is good?”  

I’ve posed this question to man after man after man over the last four weeks.  Only one guy was able to point to a particular Bible verse.  I certainly don’t fault any of those guys.  Until a month ago, I would’ve been hard pressed to quickly point to a Bible verse to support the fact of God’s goodness.   

This question, where in the Bible does it say that God is good? occurred to me one morning during my devotions.   I was not doubting God’s goodness.  In fact, I start off a lot of my prayers with the phrase, “God you are so good….”   Like most of us, I can point to God’s goodness (His favor, care, grace faithfulness) throughout my life.  But I wanted to see it directly in God’s revelation to me.  

Instead of going straight to a concordance or Bible software to find the answer, I purposed to stay on the lookout for verses during my personal Bible reading.  I have been reading through the Psalms this whole summer, and they are full of expressions of God’s character.  And sure enough, eight different times over the course of a month, I saw the explicit declaration that God is good. (Ps 34:8; 86:5; 100:5; 106:1; 107:1; 136:1; 145:7,9).  A few examples: 

100:5    For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

136:1 give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

145:7 They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness and will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.

145:9 The LORD is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works. 

Notice the surrounding words the Psalm writers use when exalting in God’s goodness.  Blessed, Lovingkindness, Faithfulness, Righteousness, Mercies, Abundance.  The one verse that the Spirit seemed to sear into my heart – the verse that I shared with every man I met with over this month - was Psalm 86:5; You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. 

As you enter this fall, may you remember that The Shepherd we follow, the King who reigns in your heart, the Lord who calls you His disciple, The Father who declares you His child… is GOOD.  And even when we stray away, there is a constant readiness in His heart to forgive us as we repent, and to pour His buckets full of loyal love onto our life. “Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.”  (Psalm 106:1)  Now you know where to find it!  

By David Andes

View this video by Cici Winans as a reminder of God's goodness! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AwLTeMyq20