the goodness of God

Here are some notes from Don Emerson's class yesterday in the Attributes of God, specifically God's goodness...

"The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love, The Lord is good to everyone, He showers compassion on all his creation.” (Psalm 145:8-9 NLB)

Definition of God’s Goodness: “The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of goodwill toward men. He is tenderhearted and of quick sympathy and His unfailing attitude toward all moral beings is open, frank, and friendly.” (A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy)

“God’s goodness means that God is the final standard of good, and that all God is and does is worthy of approval.” (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology)

Relationship Between God’s Goodness other attributes (from Wayne Grudem):

--God’s mercy is God’s goodness toward those in distress.
--God’s grace is God’s goodness to those who deserve punishment.
--God’s patience is God’s goodness to those who continue to sin over a period of time.
--God’s love is God’s goodness in eternal self-giving for the benefit of others.

On Psalm 73... “Our faith must be founded on an understanding of the nature of God. Asaph’s original trust in the unchanging goodness of God prevented his confusing illusion with reality. When we have settled in our hearts that God is good, that He is just, that He is all powerful, and that He will do right both now and for eternity, we will have the spiritual strength needed to defeat the temptation to envy others and pity ourselves.” (E. Calvin Beisner, Psalms of Promise, p. 155)

Developing a healthy perspective of God’s Goodness:

1. Open your eyes to God’s goodness all around you every day
2. Develop a consistent daily habit of thanksgiving
3. Speak often of His goodness to others. Do good to others.
4. Reflect on God’s goodness in your hard times.
5. Meditate on your sin and God’s gracious provision at the cross.
6. Memorize and meditate on passages that speak of God’s goodness.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name... for THE LORD IS GOOD, His love endures forever and His faithfulness extends to all generations.” (Psalm 100)

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