The Goodness of God
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him (Nahum 1:7). Although many proclaim that God is good, there are key elements about God’s goodness that cannot be overlooked. To understand this topic, it is helpful to first look at how different worldviews assess the concept of goodness and the divine.
Comparing Worldviews on Divine Goodness
The God of the Bible is different from any other conceptions of god. To illustrate these differences, consider how various beliefs define the nature of the divine and the source of goodness:
| Worldview | Conception of God and Goodness |
|---|---|
| Polytheism (Animism) | Gods are fickle and unpredictable entities; to say they are “good” would be overly optimistic. |
| Non-Christian Monotheism | God’s goodness becomes less of a factor, and man’s obedience becomes the focus on God’s “rightness.” |
| Buddhism and Hinduism | Rooted in an impersonal “universal truth”; the question of personal qualities like goodness is not meaningful. |
| Atheism | Little concept of “good” beyond what benefits the individual in a world of matter, energy, and random chance. |
| Biblical Christianity | God is everlasting and consistent; He is an actual Being who desires an intimate relationship and makes a way for us to know Him. |
The Foundations of Christian Living
The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most famous and beloved sections in all of Scripture, teaching how those in the kingdom of heaven should live. Jesus literally goes straight to the heart of the matter in the Beatitudes, teaching us to get our hearts right first. Each of these “Be Attitudes” begins with the word “Blessed.”
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Tasting the Goodness of the Lord
“Oh, taste and see that YHWH is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34:8). How does the human creature “taste and see” that the Lord is good? The second half of this verse explains the first: by taking refuge in Him, by casting themselves wholly onto His grace and into His hands, and by despairing of self and boasting only in the Lord. This is the path to true and deepest happiness.
The human soul tastes the goodness of the Lord God when it abandons itself to Him in desperate and hopeful dependence. As seen in 1 Peter 2:2-3, longing for the “pure spiritual milk” of the word is linked to having tasted that the Lord is good. Receiving the gospel of Christ is our fleeing to the Lord for refuge.
The Transforming Power of Grace
God's Grace is an unearned gift from God, bestowed upon us purely out of His goodness. This enlightening and compelling reality explores the transforming power of grace in the life of every true believer. Not only does God intend to save us from our sins, but also to renew our hearts and minds after the image of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Grace begins with the forgiveness offered at the Cross, but it doesn't end there. It is a heartfelt declaration of God’s constant faithfulness and love through every season.
We taste the true goodness of God when we run to Him in Jesus Christ—crucified and risen—as our refuge. The goodness of the Lord is especially “tasted” as we seek refuge in Him because our seeking refuge in Him is enabled only by the cross, which is the supreme manifestation of His goodness.