We have learned three truths from the study of our first three biblical principles:

  1. It is vital for our lives and ministries that we know what God is really like  and that we make it our first priority to (in the words of Charles Spurgeon) “study God”.
  2. We have learned, first of all, from the Scriptures, that God is Sovereign and that He is in complete control of everyone and everything at every time.
  3. We have, in addition, learned that God is wise, that He knows what He is doing, that He has a plan for our lives, and that He is working to achieve that plan.

These are powerful and life-changing truths. But we must always see them in the context of other truths about God and not isolate them. We especially need to see them in the light of the truth about God which we will study today – The goodness of God.

***It would be a tragedy if God was sovereign and wise but was not good                                                                           ***It would be equally a tragedy if God was GOOD but was not sovereign and wise. But He is all three.

Explaining the goodness of God with Bible references.

The goodness of God is, firstly, His COMPLETE PERFECTION in Himself; and, secondly, the WONDERFUL AFFECTION which He has for us sinners and which He demonstrates by saving us and caring for us. God is not only sovereign and wise ; HE IS GOOD and all He does is governed by HIS GOODNESS. (Psalm 25:8: “Good and upright is the Lord “). The goodness of God includes many wonderful truths. The primary demonstration of His goodness is HIS LOVE. (1 John 4:8,16: “God is love”). And His love is displayed and directed to us in several ways:

  1. BY HIS COMPASSION for every sinner. (Psalm 86:15a: “You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion and gracious”). He displays His compassion primarily through the death of His Son for our sin.
  2. BY HIS MERCY. (Titus 3:5b: “According to His mercy He saved us”) and BY HIS GRACE  (Titus 2:11: “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men”). Both are available for everyone but are only appropriated by those who trust Christ and receive the gift of HIS SALVATION  (Ephesians 2:5,8: “By grace you have been saved”)
  3. BY HIS ADOPTION of those who receive Jesus Christ  “to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name” (John 1:12b). God is now our Father and we are now His children, and He cares personally for each of us.

What are the consequences when we really believe in the goodness of God?

  1. We will THANK HIM and WORSHIP HIM for His Goodness. (Psalm 107:1 “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good). We could commence our daily Quiet Time by thanking Him for HIS LOVE,COMPASSION, MERCY, GRACE AND SALVATION.
  2. When the sovereignity and wisdom of God send or allow difficult circumstances to come into our lives, we will need to REMEMBER THAT GOD IS GOOD, that He is our Father, and that He loves us and cares for us. Therefore every such circumstance is sent or allowed by God’s loving Hand and is intended for our blessing, and  our spiritual growth. We must keep in mind that our God and Father is GOOD, loves us and will always do what is best for us.
  3. The Lord Jesus specifically tells us in Matthew 6 verses 25 to 34 that if we understand and really believe that God is our Father, we WILL NOT WORRY about our needs for food and clothing  (verse 25-30) , about our stature or our lifespan (verse 27), or about what is going to happen in the future (verse 34). Why? Because God  our Father cares for us (verse 26), knows our needs (verse 32),and  will supply those needs (verse 33). Truly OUR GOD IS GOOD.
  4. WE WILL ASK GOD TO HELP US to be good and to love and care for those in need, so that we will be “sons of our Father in Heaven” (Matt 5:45) and so that we will, to some little extent, reflect Him and HIS GOODNESS (Matt 5:48).

Every circumstance in your life is governed by, and filtered through, the goodness of God.           God is still on the throne and He will remember His own; His promise is true, He will not forget you.