Moses asked God to reveal His glory. The Lord responded that He would show him His goodness (Exodus 33:18-19). How often do we consider that God’s glory is His goodness?
“And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth’” (Exodus 34:6).
If God didn't exist, goodness would be nonexistent. God is the origin of all that is good. Despite living in a flawed world, we still enjoy air to breathe, food to nourish us, and the love of others. God’s presence and goodness make all these blessings possible.
Religion sometimes portrays a vengeful, demanding God who will only love and bless you if you earn it by fulfilling His conditions. However, the reality is quite different. In His goodness, God desires to have a relationship with you. He has chosen to rescue humanity and grace us with His presence, goodness, and light to dispel the world’s darkness.
Did you know that every good thing that happens on earth, regardless of whom it happens to, shares the same Source? God is extending mercy to everyone, whether they deserve it or not.
“The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Psalm 145:9).
Though the world is shrouded in darkness due to Adam’s sin, life exists solely because of God’s presence and goodness. Without Him, humanity would lack a path to hope and redemption. We would not know love, extend forgiveness, feel joy, or possess faith. God's goodness is available to everyone.
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17).
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
When we recognize the goodness of God, our hearts can be transformed.
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin” (Romans 2:4 NLT)?
God’s goodness leads to true repentance, while fear brings torment (1 John 4:18). Those who receive Jesus Christ out of fear of punishment or retribution struggle to trust Him, experiencing feelings of condemnation and questioning whether they have done enough to please Him. Individuals driven by fear only seek God during hard times. They pray when there is a crisis. While fear might bring some to God, it remains inferior to love.
God’s perfect love casts out fear and draws us to Him (1 John 4:18). Those drawn to God by His goodness recognize Him as the Source of everything good in their lives and will serve Him through good and challenging times. The world, and often religion, uses negative incentives to inspire us, while the Gospel emphasizes God’s immense love as the positive force that leads us to Him. It is essential that we renew our minds with God’s goodness.
You experience the presence of God when you receive a revelation of His goodness in your heart. His goodness is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). He transforms you. You see God as He is. He is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.
His goodness is no longer a mystery. Can you say from the depths of your heart, “Amen, so be it?”
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