Apr 06, 2013

Expressions of God's Goodness

Read | Psalm 103

We often think of God’s goodness in terms of our tangible blessings and upbeat events. While these surely are expressions of divine goodness, we should not interpret God’s love only by how He demonstrates it in positive circumstances. We often experience His goodness best in our darkest hours—in those situations, He shows Himself to be good in deeper ways, as He alone can (2 Cor. 12:9).

One way the Lord expresses goodness is through His mercy—the tender-hearted compassion He has for us. In the Bible, mercy is usually mentioned in the context of God’s concern for people who are needy or suffering. We constantly see Jesus filled with compassion and ministering because of this mercy (Mark 1:41). He healed many people who cried out to Him for mercy because they recognized their neediness  (Matt. 9:27-29).

Remember, it wasn’t the self-righteous Pharisee who was blessed, but the sinful tax collector who realized that he didn’t deserve God’s favor and begged for mercy (Luke 18:9-14). In response to our distress, God offers comfort, not because we’ve earned it, but because He is good. Also keep in mind that through Jesus’ worthiness and sacrifice, all who trust Him as Savior have great worth in God’s eyes(2 Cor. 5:21).

Another expression of our heavenly Father’s goodness is grace. A just God cannot overlook sin, yet because of His infinite goodness and love, He chose to pay our penalty for us. We have access to God’s grace only through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. Every day, we should

A Psalm] of David.]] Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name.
	Psa 103:2	Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
	Psa 103:3	Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
	Psa 103:4	Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
	Psa 103:5	Who satisfieth thy mouth with good [things; so that] thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
	Psa 103:6	The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
	Psa 103:7	He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
	Psa 103:8	The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
	Psa 103:9	He will not always chide: neither will he keep [his anger] for ever.
	Psa 103:10	He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
	Psa 103:11	For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
	Psa 103:12	As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
	Psa 103:13	Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
	Psa 103:14	For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust.
	Psa 103:15	[As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
	Psa 103:16	For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
	Psa 103:17	But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
	Psa 103:18	To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
	Psa 103:19	The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
	Psa 103:20	Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
	Psa 103:21	Bless ye the LORD, all [ye] his hosts; [ye] ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
	Psa 103:22	Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.