Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 23, 2015
I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:6
God has been good to us. His goodness is liberal and long lasting. His goodness is far reaching. Because He is God, He is good. There is nothing bad that soils the character of our Savior. The salvation we have in Jesus is good. The comfort we have in Christ is good. His wisdom is good. His answers to prayer are good. His forgiveness is good. His grace is good. Heaven is good. We sing to the Lord because His goodness compels us. God’s goodness accounts for all goodness.
Gratitude gushes forth from a heart that has been tamed by the goodness of God. God has been good to us. The recognition of His goodness governs our gratitude. To the extent we remember how good God is to us; is the degree of appreciation we apply in our everyday life. It may be He has given us a good job, good health, good sense, a good house and a good family. It is the grace of God that allows us to experience His goodness. When we linger under the cross of Christ we encounter the shade of His goodness. God is so good to us!
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).
Therefore when we are under the bright light of God’s goodness, any bad influence is blinded. Gratitude and a bad attitude cannot coexist. Take the time and list what good things the Lord has done for you. Keep your list close by so when you are tempted to complain over trivial issues like traffic, another’s tardiness, waiting in line or not getting what you want—you can apply gratitude. Passion may possess an unbridled body, but patience controls a grateful soul. The Lord’s goodness calls us to be good.
Goodness gives off goodness. It rubs off on others. God’s goodness infects us so we can infect others with our good deeds. We are good to others because God has been good to us. Our goodness does not discriminate. We are good to others even when they are undeserving. Be patient with the one who doesn’t deserve patience. Love the one who doesn’t deserve love. Forgive the one who doesn’t deserve forgiveness. Be grateful for God’s goodness!
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” (Psalm 145:9).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I sing praises to You out of gratitude for Your great grace.
Application: How has the Lord blessed me? What does it mean to praise God for His goodness?
Related Readings: Psalm 73:28; Micah 6:8; Mark 10:18; Philippians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:4
Post/Tweet this today: Gratitude gushes forth from a heart that has been tamed by the goodness of God. #WisdomHunters #gratefulforgood
Worship Resource: 8 minute music video- Gaither’s: Through it All
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Loved this devotional – was told many years ago – You take God out of “Good” & you’re left with a lonely “O” . jan
Dear Jan,
Thank you for reaching out to us after reading “Grateful for Good”. I liked your statement about what happens when you take God out of good. You are so right!!
Boyd summed it up also, when he stated: “Therefore when we are under the bright light of God’s goodness, any bad influence is blinded. Gratitude and a bad attitude cannot coexist”. Amen!
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter, Jan.
Sharing His bright Light with you~
Gwynne
“Come, O house of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the Lord.”
Isaiah 2:5