Psalm 100:5 (NLT)
If you grew up in a Christian home, you may have learned this childhood prayer: “God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our food. Amen.” While simplistic, that prayer covers one key characteristic of God: his goodness.
Is it really true that God is good all the time? Absolutely! But many people don’t live like they believe it. It can be hard to believe in God’s goodness, especially when you’re in pain and conflict. Those are the times you forget about God’s goodness. When you’re depressed, you think his goodness is for everyone except you. And when you’re worried or stressed out, you can’t seem to find—much less think about—God’s goodness, even when it’s right in front of you.
So how can you trust in God’s goodness when you don’t feel it? The Bible reminds you of his goodness over and over. Psalm 100:5 says, “For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation” (NLT).
Focusing on God’s goodness is so important to your life. It gives you a new perspective on your darkest days. But when you forget God’s goodness, you lose perspective and can only see the difficulty you’re facing.
God wants to give you a life of confidence by assuring you of his love and care. He wants to give you a life of influence and opportunities so that you can make a difference in the world. And he wants to give you an inheritance and a home in heaven with him forever. Who doesn’t want that? Who doesn’t need that?
Sure, you can learn about God’s goodness when you read the Bible or hear a message about it, but how can you experience God’s goodness? You actually experience God’s goodness when you worship him. Nothing helps you focus like worship!
The Message paraphrase says, "Worship GOD if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness" (Psalm 34:9). The way you experience God's goodness is through worship—when you praise God and thank him for who he is and what he has promised you.
Believing and understanding the goodness of God will revolutionize your life and give you a new perspective on your circumstances. It will transform your life!
If you grew up in a Christian home, you may have learned this childhood prayer: “God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our food. Amen.” While simplistic, that prayer covers one key characteristic of God: his goodness.
Is it really true that God is good all the time? Absolutely! But many people don’t live like they believe it. It can be hard to believe in God’s goodness, especially when you’re in pain and conflict. Those are the times you forget about God’s goodness. When you’re depressed, you think his goodness is for everyone except you. And when you’re worried or stressed out, you can’t seem to find—much less think about—God’s goodness, even when it’s right in front of you.
So how can you trust in God’s goodness when you don’t feel it? The Bible reminds you of his goodness over and over. Psalm 100:5 says, “For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation” (NLT).
Focusing on God’s goodness is so important to your life. It gives you a new perspective on your darkest days. But when you forget God’s goodness, you lose perspective and can only see the difficulty you’re facing.
God wants to give you a life of confidence by assuring you of his love and care. He wants to give you a life of influence and opportunities so that you can make a difference in the world. And he wants to give you an inheritance and a home in heaven with him forever. Who doesn’t want that? Who doesn’t need that?
Sure, you can learn about God’s goodness when you read the Bible or hear a message about it, but how can you experience God’s goodness? You actually experience God’s goodness when you worship him. Nothing helps you focus like worship!
The Message paraphrase says, "Worship GOD if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness" (Psalm 34:9). The way you experience God's goodness is through worship—when you praise God and thank him for who he is and what he has promised you.
Believing and understanding the goodness of God will revolutionize your life and give you a new perspective on your circumstances. It will transform your life!
Talk It Over
How does remembering God’s goodness to you in the past help you in your present pain?
Why does believing in God’s goodness give you confidence as you walk through life?
What verses from God’s Word remind you of his goodness?
- by Pastor Rick
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Prayer:
Father,
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your boundless goodness and mercy. Help us to see Your hand in every circumstance, to trust Your perfect plan, and to recognize Your love even in times of difficulty. Open our eyes to the blessings You have placed around us, both great and small. We want to honor You through our thoughts, words, and actions. Help us to serve others with the same goodness You have shown us, and to share Your love generously with those in need. Teach us to trust in Your wisdom, to walk in righteousness, and to embrace Your mercy in every decision we make. Let Your presence be our comfort and our light, and may we always seek to live in a way that reflects Your perfect goodness to the world around us. Guide us to reflect Your love and grace to others, and let our lives be a testimony to Your great faithfulness. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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