A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – July 10, 2019
Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107:8-9)
I was talking with a fellow minister recently and I was sharing with him what I believed about the goodness of God. I made a statement that I believed the “gooder” (I know that is not a real word) we know God is, the “gooder” He is going to be in our life. That statement did not go over very well with my minister friend. He thought I was nuts. So, let me explain what I mean to all out there that may take offense at that type of statement and belief.
I believe that the foundation of all faith, hope, and love, is the goodness of God!!!
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:13)
Many people look at the above scripture as related only to our personal circumstances. For example, we look at our faith to believe for certain situations in our own personal lives. We look at love as our love for other people. There is nothing wrong with that type interpretation because this scripture is dealing with that. However, I believe that the greater meaning, or the foundation for our personal actions, are rooted in our faith, hope and love towards God himself.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matthew 22:37)
To love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind, you must believe in the goodness of God. You must know that He is good all the time; that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him; that He is the God that healeth thee; that His thoughts and plans for you are for good and not for evil, to give you hope; that He is your strong tower that you can run to; that He is your provider and protector; that He is your help in the time of trouble; that He wants you to prosper and be in health; that He is your friend that will never leave you nor forsake you; and that He loves you unconditionally. It is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance. It is the goodness of God that is the foundation to all our faith, hope, and love towards God himself.
Maybe I am just too simple minded but I just cannot see how you can fully love a God that would put cancer on your child, kill your loved one in a car wreck, or cause all manner of disasters to teach you a lesson. I reject any definition of my God that includes any type of evil or abuse. Those things belong at the doorstep of the thief and our enemy Satan (John 10:10). Any mixture of evil and good in our beliefs toward our Father God will negatively affect our ability to receive from Him because it makes us double-minded.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8)
God is good all the time, and all the time God is good! The “gooder” you know He is, the “gooder” He will be in your life!
