God is good because of who He is.
He is not good because of the beauty of nature.
He is not good because of who is or is not the president.
He is not good because I am happy with my circumstances.
He is not good because I deserve it.
He is not good because I have good health.
He is not good because I live in apparent safety.
He is not good because it is a beautiful day.
God is good because His own being and character define goodness.
God is good even when our lives are torn by despair. God is good when a storm brings destruction. God is good when the doctor brings “bad news”. God is good in the ravages of war. God is good when the car doesn’t start. God is good when your child’s favorite toy breaks.
God was good when His son hung on the cross for my sins.
The unshakeable truth that God is good is the cornerstone of our lives. Whether our experience appears to confirm it or not, God is good. This truth will orient your life to praise God for who He is, and not for what you want Him to be. He alone is good. He alone is God.
Your hope is not tied to the condition of your circumstances. Your hope is rooted in the eternal goodness of your God. He is your refuge.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.
Now read this: When God’s will doesn’t make sense to you
This post originally appeared on the Shepherd Press and was republished with permission.
Jay Younts is the author of Everyday Talk, Everyday Talk About Sex & Marriage, and he is the Shepherd Press blogger. He is a ruling elder at Redeemer Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Moore, South Carolina. He and his late wife Ruth have five adult children.
