His Goodness Endures
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1
Many things, situations and circumstances confronting us are not good. They can trouble and even torment us. Oh, but the goodness of the LORD. It is remarkable.
Goodness is His kindness in action.
When He created the world, He looked at each part of creation, “and saw that it was good.” (Gen.1:4, 9, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31)
When Jesus walked the earth, “He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” Acts 10:38
Our challenge and choice and perhaps even our commission as sons and daughters of the Most High is to set our minds to be attentive to His goodness and merciful care.
We live in a world of light and darkness, of great joy and tremendous pain. In this world we will face tribulation, but we are called by Jesus to be of good cheer for His has overcome the world (Jn. 16:33).
How do we find and keep such cheer?
Through the discipline of looking to Him, seeking after displays and demonstrations of His goodness and kindness. These evidences are there, yet we don’t always look intentionally and dedicatedly to them.
I know I look to other screens that display messages that can weigh upon my heart. I also know that I can more readily turn away from these screens.
David prayed, “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Ps. 61:2)
In His presence is fullness of joy (Ps. 16:11). When joy is compromised or fleeting, there is an answer: run to His presence! This is why corporate worship is so vital to our lives with Jesus. He inhabits our praises, so He enters in wherever we are as we declare His praises.
Oh LORD we thank You for Your faithfulness! Help us to seek You and see You move. May we experience more of Your goodness, provision and mercy in these days. In Your Name and for Your glory! Amen!