When bad things happen or bad things are said to us and behind our backs to others, it is the Goodness of God and the power of God’s help who keeps us from falling into an abys of all the ways to think and react that are not of God.  He uses these earthbound trials and tribulations that happen in a fallen, imperfect world to teach us the lessons we must learn about God, His Son, Jesus, His Holy Spirit living in us along with our relationships to God and others in the world.  Created in His own image, God provides all we need to become more like Him in every way when our full attention is given to Him.  HE is the source of all that is good for God alone is Good.

Psalm 119:65-72, The Message

ט Teth

Be good to your servant, God;
    be as good as your Word.
Train me in good common sense;
    I’m thoroughly committed to living your way.
Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place,
    but now I’m in step with your Word.
You are good, and the source of good;
    train me in your goodness.

The godless spread lies about me,
    but I focus my attention on what you are saying;
They’re bland as a bucket of lard,
    while I dance to the tune of your revelation.
My troubles turned out all for the best—
    they forced me to learn from your textbook.
Truth from your mouth means more to me
    than striking it rich in a gold mine.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We will become closer to all God wants us to be when we take more joy in deflecting all the bad that is said or done by other human and remember to look to God for wisdom.  When our desire to please God first, more than anyone else on earth, He will give us the right response delivered with love and trust.  Our joy is not in devaluing someone else for that is not how God treats us.  Those whose lives are led by evil will soon perish from all the distractions, deception, and destructive behaviors done to make themselves feel better about themselves. Pray for all who are bonded to evil. It is not God’s desire that anyone perish, so it shouldn’t be our desire either.

“Only God is Good”, says Jesus to the rich young ruler arrogantly seeking to be not only good but the best, thinking that by obey all the laws he’d been taught he would be “good”. Jesus knew the heart of this young man and knew that if he told him what he really needed—to lose self to gain eternal life—he would listen but not be able to lose the grip his wealth had over him. Our all wise, all-knowing God knows exactly who we are and what we need to grow to be more like Him in every way—the lessons are timely and forever until we see Jesus face to face in all His glory.

Warren Wiersbe, Bible Scholar and author, comments;

“The emphasis in this section of the psalm is on what is good in the life of the believer. The Hebrew word tob is used six times in these eight verses and can be translated “good, pleasant, beneficial, precious, delightful, and right.” God does what is good because God is good and because what He does is “according to [His] word” (v. 65) and His Word is good (v. 39). Neither His character nor His Word will ever change, so we can say: God is good all the time. God does what is good (vv. 65, 66). God overrules evil and from it brings good (vv. 67–71). God uses the Word to show us good (v. 72).” Wiersbe Study Bible

God is Good all the time and is truly with us all the time to demonstrate His Goodness along with His mercy and grace.  God showed just how much and how deep our Father’s love is for us by sending His One and Only Son, Jesus to save us and set us free from sin and self.  God wants only the best for us.  Remember that when today brings wondering—hold fast to all that is true and real—God alone.

“Let the morning bring word of your unfailing love, for all my trust is in you.” (a verse I rely on daily from Psalm 143.  It is good to read the entire psalm if you are seeking peace and remembrance of who God is—Good.

Lord,

You are so, so good to me, it humbles me.  Let me meditate all day long just on your goodness and remember all you have done for all who believe in you with committed hearts.  To you be the glory, honor, and praise! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen