The Goodness Of GOD
The Goodness Of God endures continually" (Ps. 52:1). The Goodness of GOD respects the perfection of HIS nature: "GOD is light, and in HIM is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). There is such an absolute perfection in GOD'S nature and being that nothing is wanting to it or defective in it; nothing can be added to it to make it better.
HE is originally Good, Good of HIMSELF, which nothing else is; for all creatures are good only by participation and communication from GOD. HE is essentially Good; not only Good, but Goodness itself: the creature’s good is a superadded quality, in GOD it is HIS essence. HE is infinitely Good; the creature’s good is but a drop, but in GOD there is an infinite ocean or gathering together of Good. HE is Eternally and Immutably Good, for HE cannot be less Good than HE is; as there can be no addition made to HIM, so no subtraction from HIM (Thomas Manton).
GOD is summurn bonum, The Chiefest Good.
The original Saxon meaning of our English word GOD is "The Good." GOD is not only the greatest of all beings, but the best. All the Goodness there is in any creature has been imparted from the Creator, but GOD'S Goodness is underived, for it is the essence of HIS eternal nature. As GOD is infinite in power from all eternity, before there was any display thereof, or any act of omnipotence put forth; so HE was eternally Good before there was any communication of HIS bounty, or any creature to whom it might be imparted or exercised. Thus, the first manifestation of this divine perfection was in giving being to all things. "Thou art good, and doest good" (Ps. 119:68).
GOD has in HIMSELF an Infinite and inexhaustible treasure of all blessedness enough to fill all things.
All that emanates from GOD—HIS decrees, HIS creation, HIS laws, HIS providences—cannot be otherwise than Good: as it is written. "And GOD saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very Good" (Gen. 1:31). Thus, the Goodness of GOD is seen, first, in creation. The more closely the creature is studied, the more the beneficence of his Creator becomes apparent. Take the highest of GOD'S earthly creatures, man. Abundant reason he has to say with the Psalmist, "I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works, and that my soul knows right well" (Ps. 139:14). Everything about the structure of our bodies attests to the goodness of their Maker. How suited the hands to perform their allotted work! How good of the LORD to appoint sleep to refresh a wearied body! How benevolent HIS provision to give the eyes lids and brows for their protection! So we might continue indefinitely.
Nor is the Goodness of the Creator confined to man, it is exercised toward all HIS creatures. "The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou gives them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfies the desire of every living thing" (Ps. 145:15-16). Whole volumes might be written, and have been, to amplify this fact. Whether it is the birds of the air, the beasts of the forest, or the fish in the sea, abundant provision has been made to supply their every need. GOD "gives food to all flesh, for his mercy endures forever" (Ps. 136:25). Truly, "The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD" (Ps. 33:5).
The Goodness of GOD is seen in the variety of natural pleasures which HE has provided for HIS creatures. GOD might have been pleased to satisfy your hunger without the food being pleasing to our palates—how HIS benevolence appears in the varied flavors He has given to meats, vegetables, and fruits! GOD has not only given us senses, but also that which gratifies them; this too reveals HIS Goodness. The earth might have been as fertile as it is without being so delightfully variegated. Our physical lives could have been sustained without beautiful flowers to regale our eyes, and exhale sweet perfumes. We might have walked the fields without our ears being saluted by the music of the birds. Whence then, this loveliness, this charm, so freely diffused over the face of nature? Verily, "His tender mercies are over all his works" (Ps. 145:9).
The Goodness of GOD is seen in that when man transgressed the law of HIS Creator a dispensation of unmixed wrath did not at once commence. GOD might well have deprived His fallen creatures of every blessing, every comfort, every pleasure. Instead, HE ushered in a regime of a mixed nature, of mercy and judgment. This is very wonderful if it be duly considered; and the more thoroughly that regime is examined the more it will appear that "mercy rejoice against judgment" (James 2:13). Notwithstanding all the evils which attend our fallen state, the balance of good greatly preponderates. With comparatively rare exceptions, men and women experience a far greater number of days of health than they do of sickness and pain. There is much more creature-happiness than creature-misery in the world. Even our sorrows admit of considerable alleviation, and GOD has given to the human mind a pliability which adapts itself to circumstances and makes the most of them.
Nor can the benevolence of GOD be justly called into question because there is suffering and sorrow in the world. If man sins against the Goodness of GOD, if he despises "the riches of HIS Goodness and forbearance and longsuffering," and after the hardness and impenitency of his heart treasurest up unto himself wrath against the day of wrath (Rom. 2:5-6), who is to blame but himself? Would GOD be "Good" if He did not punish those who ill-use His blessings, abuse His benevolence, and trample His mercies beneath their feet? It will be no reflection upon GOD'S Goodness, but rather the brightest exemplification of it, when He will rid the earth of those who have broken His laws, defied HIS authority, mocked HIS messengers, scorned HIS SON, and persecuted those for whom HE died.
The Goodness of GOD appeared most illustriously when HE sent forth HIS SON "made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" (Gal. 4:4-5). It was then that a multitude of the heavenly host praised their MAKER and said, "Glory to GOD in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). Yes, in the Gospel the "Grace (Gr., benevolence or goodness) of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11). Nor can GOD'S benignity be called into question because He has not made every sinful creature a subject of His redemptive grace. He did not do so with the fallen angels. Had GOD left all to perish it had been no reflection on His goodness. To any who challenge this statement we remind him of our Lord’s sovereign prerogative: "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am Good?" (Matthew 20:15).
"O that men would praise the LORD for HIS Goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men" (Ps. 107:8). Gratitude is the return justly required from the objects of His beneficence; yet is it often withheld from our great Benefactor simply because HIS Goodness is so constant and so abundant. It is lightly esteemed because it is exercised toward us in the common course of events. It is not felt because we daily experience it. "Despises thou the riches of HIS Goodness?" (Rom. 2:4). HIS Goodness is despised when it is not improved as a means to lead men to repentance, but, on the contrary, serves to harden them from supposing that GOD entirely overlooks their sin.
The Goodness of GOD is the life of the believer’s trust. It is this excellency in GOD which most appeals to our hearts. Because His goodness endures forever, we ought never to be discouraged: "The LORD is Good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and he knows them that trust in him" (Nah. 1:7).
When others behave badly to us, it should only stir us up the more heartily to give thanks unto the LORD, because HE is Good; and when we ourselves are conscious that we are far from being good, we should only the more reverently bless HIM that HE Is Good. We must never tolerate an instant’s unbelief as to the Goodness of the Lord: whatever else may be questioned, this is absolutely certain, that JEHOVAH is Good; HIS dispensations may vary, but HIS nature is always the same. -C. H. Spurgeon-
-Scripture-
Exodus 33:19,20- And HE said, "I will make all MY Goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you MY name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," HE said, "you cannot see MY Face, for man shall not see ME and live.
Psalm 25:8-10- Good and upright is The LORD; therefore HE instructs sinners in the way.
Psalm 86:5- For YOU, O LORD, are Good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon YOU.
Psalm 100:5- For the LORD is Good; HIS steadfast Love endures forever, and HIS Faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 106:1- Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for HE IS Good, for HIS Steadfast Love endures forever!
Psalm 119:68- YOU are Good and do Good; teach me YOUR statutes.
Habakkuk 1:13- You who are of purer eyes than to see evil cannot look at wrong...
Lamentations 3:33- For HE does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. (GOD has a just basis for HIS judgment)
Nahum 1:7- The LORD is Good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; HE knows those who take refuge in HIM.
Matthew 5:45b- For HE makes HIS sun rise on the evil and on the Good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mark 10:18- And JESUS said to him, "Why do you call ME Good? No one is Good except GOD alone.
Acts 14:17- Yet HE did not leave HIMSELF without witness, for HE did Good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.
James 1:17- Every Good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
-Enduring-
Psalm 52:1- To the choirmaster. A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, "David has come to the house of Ahimelech." Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast Love of GOD endures all the day.
-Leads To Repentance-
Romans 2:4- Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that GOD’S Kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
-Gratefully Acknowledged-
1 Chronicles 16:34- Oh give thanks to the LORD, for HE is Good; for HIS steadfast Love endures forever!
2 Chronicles 5:13- and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD, "For HE is Good, for HIS steadfast Love endures forever," the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,
2 Chronicles 7:3- When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the Glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "For HE is Good, for his steadfast Love endures forever.
Psalm 68:19- Blessed be the LORD, who daily bears us up; GOD IS our Salvation. Selah
Psalm 107:8-9- Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] HIS Goodness, and [for] HIS wonderful works to the children of men! For HE satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with Goodness.
Psalm 107:43- Whoso [is] wise, and will observe these [things], even they shall understand the Loving kindness of the LORD.
Psalm 118:29- O give thanks unto the LORD; for [HE is] Good: for HIS Mercy [endures] forever.
Psalm 135:3- Praise the LORD, for the LORD is Good; sing to HIS Name, for IT is pleasant!
Psalm 136:1- Give thanks to the LORD, for HE is Good, for HIS Steadfast Love endures forever.
Psalm 145:7- They shall pour forth the fame of YOUR abundant Goodness and shall sing aloud of YOUR Righteousness.
Psalm 145:9- The LORD is Good to all, and HIS Mercy is over all that HE has made.
Isaiah 63:7- I will recount the steadfast Love of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that The LORD has granted us, and the great Goodness to the house of Israel that HE has granted them according to HIS Compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast Love.
-Manifested: In Gracious Providence-
Matthew 7:11- If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your FATHER who is in heaven give Good things to those who ask HIM!
-To The Righteousness Of-
Psalm 31:19- Oh, how abundant is YOUR Goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear YOU and worked for those who take refuge in YOU, in the sight of the children of mankind!
Lamentations 3:25- The LORD is Good to those who wait for HIM, to the soul who seeks HIM.
Romans 11:22- Note then the Kindness and the severity of GOD: severity toward those who have fallen, but GOD’S Kindness to you, provided you continue in HIS Kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
-To The Wicked-
Luke 6:35- But love your enemies, and do Good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for HE is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.