God is good. All the time

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him. Psalm 34:8

What does it mean when people say that God is good? Most times when we say ‘God is good’ it’s because something has recently gone in our favor. For example, when someone gets a new job, a new house, receives deliverance from something, or any other tangible blessing, we associate that with God being good. But what about the times when things didn’t work out in our favor? Or those moments when it doesn’t even feel like God is listening. Does that mean that he isn’t good?!

Unfortunately, I believe we have been conditioned to believe that God is supposed to give us everything we ask for, when we ask for it, in the exact way that we ask forit. We treat God like a genie in a bottle.We have learned to love God for what he does for us instead of for who he is to us. We look forward to his visible movement in our lives instead of his never-ending love, when in fact, it is because of his great love for us that makes him GOOD!

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9

When I google the definition of ‘good’ it says that which is morally right, righteousness. God is referred to as good, but we also know God as holy and The light. Because of this, there is no evil or darkness in him.  In Mark 10, Jesus explains that no one is good but God. He sets the standard for what good is. Everything that God does is for our own good. His goodness is connected to his faithfulness that He promises us.

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

The entire gospel is considered the ‘good news’ because God sent his son so that we would not perish, but so that we can have eternal life. He wants to have a real and personal relationship with each of us. What we think we are longing for is satisfied by our relationship with Christ. It is the good news that refreshes our soul.

Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Proverbs 25:25

In the beginning, we know there was creation.  Genesis 1:31 tells us that God reflected on all that he had made, and it was very good. And even after sin entered the world, God remained good and responded to our sin with goodness and began the process of redemption. And even today, He still works in excellence to bring us closer to him. Remembering that we are sinful, but God continues to show us grace and mercy shows the goodness of who He is.  As we continue to grow in his goodness, we become more like him.

The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. Psalm 145:9

When we experience loss, disappointment, and hardship, it becomes harder to recognize God’s goodness. The goodness of God seems hidden in moments when we feel like we can’t see or feel him moving. We must try not to connect His goodness to our day-to-day circumstances. Think about when they say happiness comes from happenings, but true joy comes from Jesus. Because God is good does not mean that life will always feel good. God tells us that we will experience suffering.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

A lot of times we hear the question, “if God is good, why would he let this/that happen”. It is in these times that we must pray “God please show me your goodness even in this situation. Illuminate where I am shadowing your goodness with my own unmet desires. Realign my heart with who you are. Help me to remember your goodness and faithfulness”. Although, there will be suffering and hardships, God promises to work all things together for our good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

We never see the bigger picture when we are walking in an unpleasant situation. We have a ground level view and only see in the moment. But God has an aerial view and sees the larfer picture. He always has a greater purpose than what we can even imagine. He does all things for his glory. It is in these moments that he can grow us to maturity.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

When we think of something being good for us, it normally builds us up and makes us a better person. That is exactly what we experience from God’s goodness. His goodness refines us, grows us, and strengthens us. Just as fruits and vegetables gives us the good nutrition that we need, God’s goodness matures us into who we are meant to be. We must trust that no matter where we are in life, or what we are going through, God is in control, and he is good. When we are on the mountain top, He is good. When we are in the valley, He is still good. He is good because he walks with us. Good because he never leaves us nor forsakes us. Because He is always working even when we don’t see it. Because he doesn’t give us what we deserve. He is good because what He promises, He fulfills. He is good because when we walk away from the relationship, he continues to chase after us.  When we are unfaithful, he remains unchanged.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

 Just remember, God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

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