God is Good

One of the repeated emphases of the Old Testament is the goodness of God. Psalm 25:8 declares: “Good and upright is the Lord.” Psalm 86:5 adds: “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You.” 

The theme continues in Psalm 106:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Those identical words are repeated in the first verse of Psalm 107 and 118. 

Not only does the Old Testament declare that God is good, over and over the Bible illustrates God’s goodness. In Moses’ farewell address to Israel as recorded in the Book of Deuteronomy, the great leader describes how God established a special relationship with Jacob (who represents all the people). The writer describes how God shielded him, cared for him and guarded him. 

The imagery shifts to a lesson from nature in Deuteronomy 32:11 when the writer uses an eagle to illustrate God’s goodness. When it is time for the next step in the eaglet’s growth, the mother stirs up the nest to hasten the next phase. But she does so protectively. Even though she encourages the young to test its wings and fly, she hovers nearby with comfort and assurance. She even flies beneath the eaglet to catch and carry her young on her pinions if necessary. 

‘Ties of love’

Later in Israel’s history, the prophet Hosea would illustrate the goodness of God with a different image. In the opening verses of Chapter 11, Hosea compares Israel to a child whom God taught to walk. Referring to the Exodus experienced, Hosea says God took them by the arms and “led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love.” God “lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.” 

Nutured by God’s goodness

In both illustrations Israel is seen as a needy infant nurtured by the goodness of God. 

One cannot think about the goodness of God without recalling Psalm 23 and being reminded of the many ways the goodness of God is described in these memorable verses. 

God cares for physical needs by leading to “green pastures.” God guides in the events of life. Instead of the threats of raging waters, God takes His sheep to still waters where they may safely drink. God cares for relationships. “He restores my soul.” He restores the wayward to the flock. He restores the penitent to Himself. 

God guides in paths of righteousness, the Psalmist continues. One is not left to his/her own senses in a confusing world. Rather the Shepherd illustrates His goodness by guiding one in paths of righteousness. With His rod and staff the Shepherd protects and rescues. No wonder one is comforted by such a good God. 

Even in life’s darkest hours the Shepherd is present. One never will be abandoned or left alone, not even in the face of death itself. 

Is it any wonder the Psalmist said that because of the goodness of God he would never live in want or need?

In Isaiah 46, God Himself speaks to the remnant of Israel in captivity in faraway Babylon. His words first draw attention to His goodness in days past (v. 3). God says He has “upheld (Israel) since you were conceived” and “carried since your birth.” These words affirm the same truth declared by Moses centuries earlier. 

Then God turns to the future. In verse 4, God assures, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” 

The goodness of God experienced in the past is the same type of goodness God promises for the future because He is good. 

In Isaiah 58:11 the writer says it clearly. “The Lord will guide you always. He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” Like today much of that part of the world was an arid place and water was one of the most precious resources. Because of God’s goodness the writer builds on that analogy and says, “You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

Life-giving waters will never fail because God’s goodness never fails.

It is one thing for God to be good. It is another to be in relationship with this good God. 

Moses emphasized that this good God had a special relationship with Israel. Hosea looked back on the Exodus and saw how God’s goodness was poured out on Israel in that experience. In Psalm 23 the writer stresses relationship with the shepherd-sheep analogy. Isaiah accentuates relationship with the promise of continuous blessings. 

‘His love endures forever’

Perhaps Psalm 48:14 best sums it up. There the Psalmist declares, “For this God is our God forever and ever.” 

God is good and God offers Himself in relationship to all who believe in Him through faith in Jesus Christ, the ultimate illustration of God’s goodness toward humankind. 

Is it any wonder the Bible celebrates God’s goodness and urges us to “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever”?