Beloved I want to write a few words on the goodness of God.  It is easy to say “God is good.” But, when times are hard, the days seem long & nights longer, prayers seem to go unanswered for long periods of time, faith seems to start to grow weak, and hopes light in your heart starts to dim, what is it that propels us to say “God is good?” What is it that encourages us to stand in faith, continuing to believe in and trust that a “Good” God is on the job?

Let me take you to three portions of scripture for just a moment.

Psalm 100:5 – For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (NIV)

Romans 8:32 – For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give. (underline added)

What is it that propels us to say “God is good?”

First and foremost, God is good because he is faithful. God has proven himself over and over again that He is faithful to fulfill His word and his love for us.  Notice in Romans 8:32, it says, “God has proved his love…”  When there was no way for us to ever get right or be right with God, he proved his love by giving us his son.  Jesus makes us right with God.  If you have given your life to Christ, you don’t have to ‘get right’ with God; you are ‘right with God’ because of Christ righteousness given to you.  We work out our own salvation, meaning our character, our faith, our belief in all of God’s word, who he is, and who we are in Him.  God who gave us his son, a gift so great, will not withhold any other good thing from us.

Psalm 84:11 – For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)!  No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Amp)

Second, God is good because his love never changes, never diminishes, never stops.  I admit to you, it is hard for me to truly grasp the magnitude of the love of God.  What we as human people understand love to be is so far below what God’s love truly is. It is that depth, that greatness of his love that is so unexplainable, that makes him good!

It is not always when you’re struggling through a hard time or difficult situation that God is Good and strengthening your faith. Beloved, it is that knowing, that ‘God is Good’ that gives us hope, that encourages faith, that gives a person the boldness to step out and do what others say can’t be done; to believe for what looks impossible – to be done, or made right and whole.  It is that knowing that God is good that allows us to boldly proclaim “Yes I can, because I know that He will!!!” Yes, I can open that business. Yes, I can have a great marriage!  Yes, I can go to school and graduate!  Yes, I can get through this difficult situation and come out blessed!  Why? Because God is good and He is for me! Somebody ought to shout – HALLELUJAH!  GOD IS GOOD AND HE AND ALL OF HEAVEN ARE FOR ME!

2 Kings 6:16 – “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.…

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Hebrews 12:1 & 2 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…

Beloved, Run Your Race!  In every area of your life run your race to the fullest of God’s purpose, plan, blessing, and His desire for  you to live in the fullness of life that He created and intended.