God's Goodness

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The goodness of God is evident in His works of creation. Writing on God’s provisions for man, David stated: “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.” - Psalm 104:14,15.
The fact that the Omnipotent and All-wise God, created the earth and furnished it with all that is required for the peace and happiness of earthly creatures, should impel every sincere person to show appreciation to Him by way of faithful service.

When Paul and Barnabas travelled to Lystra and healed a man, the people thronged them and hailed them as gods, even attempting to make sacrifices to them. But the apostles prevented them and preached to them about God Almighty, the Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth, Who nevertheless “left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness .” - Acts 14:15-17.
Not only did God create the things in the earth, he also put in place a well-ordered arrangement to ensure peace and convenience of all His creatures. (Psalm 104:19-24) But for the goodness of God no one will be alive in the world. Apostle Paul in his famous oration at Mars Hill in Athens stated that it is “in him we live, and move, and have our being”. (Acts 17:28)
It is by virtue of the goodness of God that He restrains the devil so that he is not able to carry out all his atrocious schemes against the human race. As St. Peter said, man’s adversary the devil “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. (1 Peter 5:8. See also Matthew 10:29-31; John 10:27-29; Amos 3:6) As Nahum the prophet said: “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” -Nahum 1:7.
In spite of the sins of men which lead them to provoke God to anger, He has continued to care for them, in providing them with basic neccessities of life and healing them when they are sick. The Bible says: “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” (Psalm 145:9) It is therefore because of ignorance that some people say they cannot see the hand of God in their lives. David the King in one of his psalms gave the understanding that sin is the root of man’s troubles, both physical and spiritual. Once sin is rooted out the person will be restored to health and will enjoy God’s favour, the riches of the earth and have eternal life. Indeed, the fact that God gives people the opportunity to repent so as to be reconciled to Him is evidence of His goodness. - Psalm 103:1-5, 8-14; 36:5, 6; Isaiah 63:7-9.
• Jesus Christ as a show of his goodness
It was in exercise of his goodness that God Almighty sent Jesus Christ into the world to redeem man from sin and death. Jesus Christ stated: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) It was for this reason that St. Paul spoke of the “exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus”. - Ephesians 2:7.
When he was on earth, our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated the goodness of God to the people in those days, as a token of what God will use him to do for His people in His Kingdom fully established. According to Apostle Peter, Jesus Christ “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him”. (Acts 10:38. See also Matthew 11:1-5) Jesus Christ pointed out that we should also learn to be good to others, whether they are our friends or not. – Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:35.
Goodness and Severity
The fact that God is merciful, kind, forgiving and longsuffering does not mean that people should continue to violate His laws with impunity “the Bible says shall we continue in iniquity so that grace will abound” ,the answer is No. The longsuffering of God is to the end that men would have the opportunity to repent so as to enjoy His mercy. Apostle Paul chastised such careless ones when he declared: “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4. See also Psalm 52:1) St. Paul in one of his famous expositions pointed out that God is no respecter of persons, and that He will reject anyone who turns away from Him, whether he is a Jew or a gentile. He stated: “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.” - Roman 11:20-23.
What is therefore required of the people of God is for them to be diligent in His service in view of His goodness on them. “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?”, was a question posed by King David, to which he gave the answer, “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.” (Psalm 116:12-14) Taking the cup of salvation means doing the work of God wholeheartedly and cheerfully to His glory and praise. Indeed, as stated in the Psalm “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” - Psalm 107:8. See also verses 15, 21, 31.
We pray God Almighty to continue to give us more of His holy spirit so that we may see and appreciate the multitude of His goodness on us in order to readily do His will at all times through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.