09062025 Surely Goodness

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our good God! David was comforted by these words: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

These two words giving characteristics of God are similar and can be translated in the same ways (kindness, goodness, favor), but goodness is a broader term, whereas mercy (lovingkindness) carries a more personal flavor. By my count, good/goodness occurs 16 times in David’s psalms, and lovingkindness occurs 50 times. In several cases, they are linked within the same verse. David talks about these characteristics so much that I am currently looking just at God’s goodness.

David viewed goodness as a fundamental characteristic of God. This goodness was sure to be observed by anyone who looked at God. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Ps. 34:8). This goodness was not a minor quality, but something that abounded in great quantities, readily available for God to pour it out on His children. “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” (Ps. 31:19). God’s goodness is neither hidden nor limited to just a few people, but is evident to all. “They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works” (Ps. 145:7,9).

David saw that God’s name was good, which allowed David to wait on God. “I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints” (Ps. 52:9).

David saw that God’s Spirit was good, as He led David with clarity and effectiveness. “Teach me to do thy will: for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness (Ps. 143:10).

David saw that God’s temple was good, and being there brought satisfaction. “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple” (Ps. 65:4).

David saw that God’s lovingkindness was good, resulting in good and kind responses from God. “But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name’s sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me” (Ps. 109:21).

David saw that God’s actions were good. God performed all the good promises that He had made to David. “And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel” (I Sam. 25:30). God did good things for His people and His city. “Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem” (Ps. 51:18). Because of His goodness, God taught His underserving people how to walk. “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way” (Ps. 25:8). God thought favorable thoughts about His people and was willing to forgive them because He was good. “Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD” (Ps. 25:7). “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” (Ps. 86:5).

This good God gave good things. One of those good things was making David king, but He also gave other blessings. “For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head” (Ps. 21:3). God gives every good thing that His children need. “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing” (Ps. 34:10). God continues to give good things throughout the believer’s life and strengthens him for what he must face. “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps. 103:5).

At times, it was hope in God’s goodness that allowed David to carry on. There were moments when David did not see God’s goodness as clearly as at other times, but because God is unchangeably good, David always expected to see a renewal of God’s goodness. “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (Ps. 27:13).

We cannot underestimate the importance of having a good God. Many false deities throughout history have not been perceived as intrinsically good, and the adherents of those gods lived in fear, uncertainty, and despair. Our God is always good, always kind. He shows His favor by giving good things and by always doing the right thing – both now and for all the days of our lives.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA