by Pastor David Speas
Psalm 119:68 - Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
When we hear the word, "good," we usually think, "nice." But goodness is so much more than being nice. Being nice is how we act; it can be faked. Being good is who a person is; it's their character.
When the Bible says that God is good (and it does a lot), it's not saying that He acts "nice" towards us. No, goodness is a part of who He is. And since He is good, grace naturally flows from Him.
For a long time, I struggled with this concept. I knew God acted "nice" towards us. His death and traumatic incarnation proved that. But it was hard for me to accept that God loved me because of His goodness. I felt as though I had to earn His favor. Really, I was being idolatrous in that I was worshiping my efforts and not the God who made me.
Then one day I discovered that God didn't just act nice, He actually was good.
A. W. Tozer saids in his book, The Knowledge of the Holy, "The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men. He is tenderhearted and of quick sympathy, and His unfailing attitude toward all moral beings is open, frank, and friendly. By His nature He is inclined to bestow blessedness and He takes holy pleasure in the happiness of His people."
Let that sink in! God takes a holy pleasure in you! Be encouraged this day knowing that you serve a good God who behaves with love and grace towards His people. It's who He is.