God is good, all the time.

life is full of themes. i can say that most times in my life are marked by style of dress, a particular CD that i loved at the time, and during the latter years of my life, what God has been teaching me. this past almost year, without a doubt, my theme has been God's goodness.

i want to be someone who confesses God's goodness in all situations and at all times, regardless (and in the midst of) life's circumstances. i'm tired of our tendency to exclaim, "God is good!" when we get what we want or feel like we deserve, but to remain silent or even complain when life is hard, uncomfortable, or painful. when i see this happen or see this inclination in myself, i have come to inwardly cringe. we are so wrong. this sense of entitlement is wrong.

Psalm 145 says, "The Lord is good to all, and has compassion on all He has made. the Lord supports all who fall, and lifts up all who are bend over..Everything looks to You in anticipation, and You provide them with food on a regular basis."

from what i can tell, the term goodness in Scripture in reference to God is used to describe His upright nature at times and at others to mean His benevolence-- His kind and loving giving of good gifts to His children. God delights in this, and we are commanded to make known to Him what we desire. He is a Father who is overjoyed to give good things to His children. God is always good. God is always good. He is good all the time. He is the same, never-changing One who is endlessly righteous, loving, compassionate, and just. God is unchangingly and necessarily good. He is consistent and stable. we are not and have never been worthy of His benevolence.

How dare we look at the Cross of Christ and say to God that it's not enough, that we deserve more. We have always been undeserving of His benevolence, but He extends it freely and to all without reserve. Thank you, Jesus.

I'm sure a lot of you have seen this video and heard this message, but Piper is so dead-on. his passion is correctly placed on this matter. this, the prosperity gospel, is the sickening end of this sinful mentality and proclamation that i'm talking about.



grace and peace,
the wife.