“The goodness of God is that essential perfection of the divine nature which inclines Him to deal bountifully with His creatures. It is that benevolence of God which issues forth from His nature, and aims to promote the happiness and well-being of the creature…. God only is originally, essentially, eternally, infinitely, and inherently good in Himself.” (Lehman Strauss)
It’s a good definition, but you have heard it said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” If you want to see a picture of goodness, then look at God, for He is goodness itself. Look at what the Psalmist says, “Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!” (Ps.31:19)
“Oh, how great is Your goodness…”. We see that the greatness and goodness of God are inseparable. If God possesses goodness, it must be a great goodness for God is great in all that He is and in all that He does.
The goodness “Which You have laid up for those who fear You…”. Those who fear the Lord are those who have personally encountered Him. The more we understand of His greatness and goodness, the more we are in awe of Him. Those who fear Him are given the special treasure of His great goodness. These blessings are reserved for us—where no thief can take them, no tarnish can taint them, and no termite can touch them.
The goodness, “Which You have prepared for those who trust in You…”. God has personally prepared them—the all-knowing and all-loving God Who suits the grace according to His child. When it comes time for birthdays or Christmas, our children have particular tastes in food and desires in gifts, so as loving parents we try to match them up. We do that with some success, but not always. Our Heavenly Father never fails!
The goodness, “In the presence of the sons of men!” The great goodness of God is meant to bring Him glory, and that by being publicly proclaimed. We should testify of Him and His great goodness to stir the sinner to seek Him and the saved to trust Him. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Rom.2:4)
God is so good!
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