TOPIC: DON’T MISS OUT ON GOD’S GOODNESS
Bible Reading: Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 3
“For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.” — Jeremiah 17:6 (KJV)
God is impartial in His dealings with mankind, and His goodness extends to all who call upon Him. The Scriptures declare, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him” Romans 10:12 KJV). God’s goodness is continually being manifested, yet many fail to recognize or receive it because they are not positioned in faith. When Moses prayed, “I beseech thee, shew me thy glory,” the Lord answered, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee” Exodus 33:18-19 (KJV). In revealing His glory, God chose to reveal His goodness, demonstrating that His nature is expressed through His mercy, grace, and lovingkindness.
To experience and enjoy the goodness of God, we must first believe in His goodness apart from our own works or merit. Faith positions us to recognize what God is already doing. Jesus taught this principle when He said, “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” John 11:40 (KJV). In other words, believing precedes seeing. The psalmist echoed this truth when he declared, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” Psalm 27:13 (KJV). Our expectation of God’s goodness determines our ability to perceive and receive it. Those who believe that God is faithful and has their best interests at heart will continually recognize His hand at work in their lives.
Our opening text says that the one who trusts in human strength “shall not see when good cometh.” Notice that the Scripture does not say good will not come; rather, it says the person will fail to recognize it. God’s goodness may be present, yet unbelief and self-reliance can prevent us from seeing and embracing it.
Choose to place your confidence wholly in the Lord. Believe that He is good, that He delights in blessing His children, and that His favour surrounds your life. As you trust Him and fix your eyes upon His faithfulness, you will recognize His goodness in places where others see only difficulty and discover His grace at work in every season.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your unfailing goodness and faithfulness toward me.
Pastor Alfred Samuel