God is good because He is love. His love is good. He wants to restore every broken and lost thing in our lives. The Father heart of God brings redemption to our hearts and lives. The Bible tells us and shows us this in many places and many ways. How we view God, or our concept, and what we believe about Him, will define our reality and determine our destiny. It reveals how we will respond to the trials and circumstances in our lives. Only God is good!
Jesus came to reveal our heavenly Father’s love and goodness (John 14:6-11, Colossians 1:15). He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). God the Father wants the best for His children, those who have asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior.
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:8 – 9 (NKJV)
And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” Exodus 34:6 (NKJV)
You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. Psalm 65:11 (NKJV)
For you, LORD, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Psalm 86:5 (NKJV)
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore, He teaches sinners in the way. Psalm 25:8 (NKJV)
You are good, and do good; teach me Your statutes. Psalm 119:68 (NKJV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17 (NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4 (NKJV)
As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.” Romans 3:10-12 (NKJV)
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One that is, God. Mark 10:18 (NKJV)
When you look at the world today, you might question or doubt God’s goodness. Because of sin, what you are seeing in the world today is not a perfect reflection of God’s love and goodness, as was seen at creation (Genesis 1-3).
God had given Adam and Eve dominion over the earth, blessed them, and had said that everything He created was good, very good. They had a perfect world, but they didn’t trust in God’s love, as seen by disobeying the one command God gave them. When they sinned by disobeying God, their sin allowed the devil to take over the dominion of the world and humankind, bringing death, sickness, poverty, and all manner of evil.
Since the fall of man, we have seen evil in the world, and evil people prosper. There are many scriptures in the Bible where the writers are asking God, “How long will the wicked triumph?” (Psalm 94:3). But God also responds that the wicked will not prosper (Proverbs 11:21), and in the end, they will receive their judgment. We will all stand before God to give an account of what we did with His Son Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:11-13; Acts10:42; Romans 2:16; Matthew 7:21-23; Revelation 20:11-13; 21:27).
God had a plan to redeem humanity and the world back to Himself through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Jesus defeated the devil and has made way for us to have a relationship with God and get the blessing back to humankind once again through His shed blood and has put the world back into the hands of those who believe in Him (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). We will not see the fullness of the earth’s and humanity’s redemption until the end of the age when Jesus returns a second time to the earth, and there will be a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21).
Because we live in a fallen, sinful world, we will have trials, tests, and negative things that happen to us as well as the good. Everything that happens to us doesn’t come from God but is permitted by Him. It may come from the devil or even though, man. Trials reveal what is inside of us (Romans 5:4-5; James 1:2-4)! They allow us to experience and trust God, as well as develop our character. Evil exists and is in the world. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Jesus Himself said that we would have tribulation in the world but to be of good cheer for He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
When you truly realize and believe God’s love for you, you can be assured that He has only good things for you. I like what Lysa TerKeurst says in her book “Uninvited,” that God is good; God is good to me, and God is good at being God. I declare this frequently over my life! For the believer, God gives good things to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:11), works all things out for our good because we love Him (Romans 8:28), and doesn’t allow weapons formed against us to prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
God’s grace (unmerited, undeserved, unearned favor) covers our lives because of Jesus (John 1:14-17). He has promised never to leave or forsake us but is right here with us (Hebrews 13:5) ready to do battle on our behalf (2 Chronicles 20:15). He leads us to a place of victory if we let Him (1 John 5:4; Deuteronomy 20:4; 1 Corinthians 10:13)! There is fresh grace available each day, so ask Him for it (2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 4:16)!
For You, O LORD will bless the righteous; with favor, You will surround Him as with a shield. Psalm 5:12 (NKJV)
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:8-10 (NKJV)
There are many things in the world today that we could be fearful about, e.g., the coronavirus, terrorism, and shootings at schools, malls, and events, having enough money to pay our bills, losing our jobs, family issues, and many more. But Jesus has told us to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7) and to rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). He says not to worry about tomorrow or the future because when we seek His kingdom first and His righteousness, He will provide what we need (Matthew 6:25-34).
We don’t have to be troubled (Nahum 1:7; John 14:1) or afraid because He gives us His peace (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7). Jesus tells us not to be fearful (Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 41:10, 13). God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). God’s perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Focus on Jesus and God’s love and goodness instead of the news!
Psalm 91 is a prayer for protection that I would recommend you read in its entirety and pray over you and your family each day. Ask God for wisdom and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading as you go about your day. Let your faith arise, and the truth of God’s Word minister His peace to you now as I read Psalm 91 from the Passion Translation:
When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He is the hope that holds me in the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and He will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse. His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under His covering of Majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you. Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil launched against you. Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed. You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for they will be paid back for what they have done!
When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us? God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go, defending you from all harm. If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling. You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath your feet! For here is what the LORD has spoken to me: “Because you have delighted in Me as My great lover, I will greatly protect you. I will set you in a high place, safe and secure before My face. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel My presence even in your time of pressure and trouble. I will be your glorious hero and give you a feast. You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of My salvation!” Psalm 91:1-16 (TPT)
God loves us and wants to give us good things. His goodness reveals His generosity to bring joy and blessing to all. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), i.e., grace, healing, deliverance, provision, protection, preservation, righteousness, wisdom, direction, etc. All of the promises of God in Him are Yes and in Him Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). We need to encounter God and see Him as a good Father, not just know about Him (Job 42:5). When we meet and connect with Him, He clears up all our questions and concerns.
God works through those that belong to Christ. We are His representatives here on earth, have been equipped to do the work of His kingdom, and to be a blessing to others. Praying in faith and the name of Jesus gives heaven permission to proceed to show up with all the victory Christ has won for us over the devil through His death and resurrection. He has given believers (the church or the body of Christ) authority to use His name in taking dominion over situations and circumstances in our lives, families, nations, and the earth (Mark 11:23-24; Luke 10:19; Matthew 18:18-19; 28:18-20).
There are things that we are experiencing in our nation and the world today because of the consequences of our choices and actions. Sin separates us from God and causes God’s hand to lift to a certain degree, which allows the enemy a chance to come in and attack His people. God allows calamities to happen to draw us to Himself. He allows us to reap the fruit of what we serve.
Walking in God’s ways brings blessings, fruitfulness, and life; while walking in the ways of the god of this world will bear that fruit, i.e., decay, deterioration, destruction, and death. God chastens His people in love to turn them back to Himself and righteousness (Hebrews 12:5-11; Proverbs 14:34). We see this throughout the Scriptures. During a crisis, the people of God turned their hearts towards Him, and He took action on their behalf (Jeremiah 29:12-13; 2 Chronicles 7:14).
When God allows consequences, it is not the wrath of God but the love of God causing correction to a nation and a people. He wants to redeem what the enemy has tried to steal from us. He is calling us to walk in everything that He has ordained and provided for us (John 10:10). How we live opens and closes doors for Satan to legally affect us and potentially allows rulers who don’t know God to rule over us. Pray for leaders that will embrace God’s truth and values. When the distance between God’s hand and us increases, it will enable the demonic to take up residence among us to affect the nation and the culture, i.e., prayer removed from schools, abortions, calling good bad and bad good, hatred of God and His Word, etc.
As the body of Christ, we are to live for Christ so that the world can see Him. We are to pray for our leaders and those in authority so that we can live in peace and righteousness (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Put on the armor of God and having done all, stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18). Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
In closing, don’t forget to praise and thank the Lord for His goodness. Praise and worship are a weapon against the enemy! Meditate on God’s goodness from the book of Psalms.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:4 – 5 (NKJV)
Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1 (NKJV)
Oh, that man would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness. Psalm 107:8 – 9 (NKJV)
I will love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1 – 3 (NKJV)
Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:17 – 19 (NKJV)
Put your faith and trust in God, who is good. Believe His Word and not what you see or the circumstances in your life and the world today. God is faithful, and He has sent His Word to heal you and deliver you from all your destructions (Psalm 107:20).
Prayer:
May “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24 – 26 (NKJV)
If you would like to experience the love, goodness, and peace of God through Jesus Christ, you can right now. Go to this link to read and find out how! https://alexiscarucci.com/how-to-have-peace-with-god/
Then follow up with steps to grow in your relationship with Christ at https://alexiscarucci.com/welcome-to-gods-family/
Living the Abundant Life 
Thank you for this encouraging post and the wealth of scriptures quotes.
LikeLiked by 1 person