He is Worthy!

He Is Worthy! (Part 2; Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31)

God is worthy of our complete devotion because He is God! We thought about that in last Sunday's FF. That isn't the only reason that He is worthy, however. The Scriptures teach us that God is also good. As we think about His goodness, we discover another reason to declare Him worthy of our love, labor and lives.

In Psalm 107, one verse is repeated four times. Each time it declares that God is good. "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men." Let's think about the goodness of God this morning. I pray that His goodness will move us to a deeper love for Him and commitment to Him.

Part of understanding God's goodness is a theological issue. His goodness is part of His character. One writer says that His goodness is the summum bonum-the maximum good. Some words we're familiar with describe His goodness. He is eternally good. He has always been good and always will be good. He is infinitely good. His goodness has no limitations, and He is completely good. No darkness exists in His character. (See 1 John 1:5) He is also uniquely good. No one else can claim goodness without the taint of sin. Only God is completely good.

I've thought of at least three ways we see the goodness of God in our lives. First, we see His goodness in creation. Read Genesis one and see how many times God says what He has done is good. The creation is a reflection of God's goodness. Psalm 107 teaches us that God's works display His goodness. When we take time to reflect on His goodness in our lives, we must agree with the psalmist. He has done wonderful works in our lives that declare His goodness. Finally, we see His goodness in the sending of His Son. Jesus' arrival in our world is the supreme declaration of God's goodness. God is worthy of our best because He's good!

So, how do we respond to God's goodness? Let me suggest two ways. First, we give Him our gratitude. Read Psalm 106:1. "Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." Reflecting on God's goodness will always move us to gratitude. Another response, trust, is also appropriate. Confidence in God's goodness empowers us to trust Him regardless of the circumstances that confront us. "The Lord is good, A strong-hold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him."
(Nahum 1:7) - John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for you: Proverbs 16; Ezekiel 3-4; Hebrews 11:20-40

Think About This: Every day you provide your bodies with good to keep them from failing. In the same way your good works should be the daily nourishment of your hearts. Your bodies are fed with food and your spirits with good works. You aren't to deny your soul, which is going to live forever, what you grant to your body, which is going to die.-- Anonymous