The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7 ESV
The goodness of God is mentioned at least 196 times in the Bible. The online Bible dictionary defines the goodness of God as: “a perfection of His character which He exercises towards His creatures according to their various circumstances and relations ( Psalms 145:8 Psalms 145:9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8 ). God is infinitely and unchangeably good. There is no evil in Him. His goodness is incomprehensible by the finite mind.”
· God is good in His very being – it is His very nature to be good.
· God is good independently – no one must help Him be good.
· God is eternally and unchangeably good.
· God is good in each one of His Divine Persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
· God is good in all His acts of grace.
· God is good in all His plans and purposes for our lives. (David Guzik)
God is benevolent towards His creation. He strengthens the weak and the weary and comforts the broken-hearted. The Lord is long-suffering in His patience with impenitent sinners. He renews His mercy toward us every morning, and His grace is both amazing and unfailing. "God's goodness appears in two things, giving and forgiving."
The Lord gives food to the hungry, hope to the hopeless, peace in times of trouble, joy in sadness, and salvation to the lost. Because of His steadfast love for us, He watches over us day and night. The Lord keeps us from dangers seen and unseen. He watches over our coming and going both now and forevermore. Though the Lord is perfect in all His ways, He does not deal with us as our sins deserve. There is no sin He cannot forgive, and no sinner who is beyond His redemptive grace.
In today’s text, the prophet Nahum declares that “the Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble.” Psalm 34:8 invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made” (Psalm 145:8-9).
Therefore, “let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1). Believers should never stop singing the goodness of God. For, every day is a day of thanksgiving, despite our circumstances. When we sing the goodness of God it renews our trust in Him and gives us joy. Indeed, singing the goodness of God gives hope and removes fear. It helps us to live with confidence and face our giants with boldness.
Every time we sing the goodness of God, we release His favor over our lives. For, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). Singing reflects the temperature of our hearts and the affection of our souls. When we sing God’s goodness, we affirm His sovereign love and His omnipotent power to sustain us by His grace.
Anyone can and should sing the goodness of God every day. We live and move by His goodness. When trials try to hijack your life and troubles overwhelm your spirit, sing of the goodness of God so you can be comforted. When sorrow invades your soul and your grief is too much to bear, remember the goodness of God. Those who sing of the goodness of God in their calamity will experience the deliverance of God and walk in the favor of God.
Questions for Personal Reflection
How have you experienced the goodness of God in your life?
What song would you sing to express your gratitude for the goodness of God toward you?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, I thank you for your goodness. Words are insufficient to express my gratitude to you. You never remind me of my mistakes nor reject me when I am disobedient. My life is sustained by your goodness. May I never forget all you have done for me, and continue to proclaim your goodness until the day I die.
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