what did the god of godness see? beautiful butterflies lesson
Answers
Answer:
We sing about it and we say it often. But do we fully understand this attribute of God? Meditate on the goodness of God with me this morning. The Bible defines God's goodness in two ways. One has to do with His character; the other focuses on His actions. Ps. 119:68 captures both when it says of God: "You are good and You do what is good . . . " The first half of that verse focuses on that fact that God is by nature good. That is, He is "morally excellent, extraordinarily beautiful, deeply glad, and extravagantly bountiful." But since this is God we're talking about, this goodness ascribed to Him is raised to the highest possible levels.
Think about it: God is the original definition of good. He is good in and of Himself. For us, goodness is an added quality. But it comes naturally for Him. God is not just the greatest of beings; He is the Best.
That's exactly what Jesus meant when He said, "No one is good but One - God." (Mark 10:18) We call all kinds of things good - "This steak is good. He's a good friend. That was a good movie." But all that we call "good" on this earth is tainted and imperfect. God alone is goodness itself.
But how do you see the true character of a person? By his actions. So the second strand of definition for God's goodness concentrates on what He does. And the Bible is replete with descriptions that point to His kindness, His mercy, His steadfast love, His generosity. God is disposed to give to human beings beyond all deserving, all the time.
Have you ever thought of God as generous toward you? Can you believe that when He looks at you with all your baggage, all your junk, all your hang-ups, He says, "I want to be generous to you. I can't wait to pour out on you that which will make you happy - not because you deserve it, but because there's something about Who I am that loves to overflow in extravagant ways upon you."
The Bible says those are actually God's thoughts about you. God is for you. He has your back. He is there, plotting to do you good. You are the object of His affection, and because of His divine nature, all that He expresses comes from an expansive, over-whelming, God-sized generosity toward you.
But maybe you just can't go there this morning. Maybe your circumstances are so mundane, your life so hard, and your options so few that saying "God is good" feels hollow. Let me help you see through the lenses the Bible supplies.
II. How God reveals His goodness
Let me give you three specific channels God uses to broadcast His goodness to us.
A. Natural blessings
This is the lowest level at which He expresses His goodness and the one we tend to overlook or take for granted. But David saw it clearly. He was moved by God to write Ps. 145--a hymn of praise that celebrates God's goodness expressed in the created order.
In v. 3-4, he shouts out, "Yahweh is great and is highly praised; His greatness is unsearchable. One generation will declare Your works to the next and will proclaim Your mighty acts." And v. 7-9 describes what the older generation will say to the younger: "They will give a testimony of Your great goodness and will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love." Notice v. 9: "The Lord is good to everyone . . . "
Who is included in the word "everyone"? You are. In case we missed that, he repeats the idea in the next phrase: "His compassion [rests] on all He has made." That means there's nowhere in the universe you can go where God won't be good to you.
Down in v. 15-17, we read more about His goodness: "All eyes look to You, and You give them their food in due time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and gracious in all His acts." Every relationship, every job, every tree, every taste of food that pleases us, every birdsong, every friend and flower and field are a reminder of His compassion for us. Look in every corner of this world and every part of your day and you will find the overflow of His generosity, if you will only begin to look for it.
B. Kind interventions
Psalm 107 is totally devoted to this theme, and opens with joy: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim