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Mar.10.05: Light for the Day - "God's Goodness"
-- Psalms 31:19
Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor You. You have done so much for those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world.
-- James 1:17,18
17 Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, Who created all heaven’s lights.
Unlike them, He never changes or casts shifting shadows.
18 In His goodness He chose to make us His own children by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His choice possession.
-- 2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
--- L.A.B. ---
Jam 1:17 - The Bible often compares God's goodness with light and evil with darkness. For other passages where God is pictured as light,
(see Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 60:19-22, and John 1:1-14.)
2Pet 1:3 - The power to lead a godly life comes from God. Because we don’t have the resources to be truly godly, God allows us to “share in His divine nature” in order to keep us from sin and help us live for Him. When we are born again,
God by His Spirit empowers us with His own goodness. (See John 3:6; 14:17-23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; and 1 Peter 1:22, 23.)
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-- Titus 1:15
Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled.
--- LAB ---
Some people see good all around them, while others see nothing but evil.
What is the difference?
Our souls become filters through which we perceive goodness or evil.
The pure (those who have Christ in control of their lives) learn to see goodness and purity even in this evil world.
But corrupt and unbelieving people find evil in everything because their evil minds and hearts color even the good they see and hear.
Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act. Turn your thoughts to God and His Word, and you will
discover more and more goodness, even in this evil world. A mind filled with good has little room for what is evil.
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-- Psalm 11:4
But the LORD is in His holy Temple;
the LORD still rules from heaven.
He watches everything closely, examining everyone on earth.
--- L.A.B. ---
When the foundations are shaking and you wish you could hide, remember that God is still in control. His power is not diminished by any turn of events. Nothing happens without His knowledge and permission.
When you feel like running away — run to God. He will restore justice and goodness on the earth in His good time.
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-- Exodus 33:18-20
18 Then Moses had one more request. "Please let me see Your glorious presence," he said.
19 The LORD replied, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will call out My name, ‘the LORD,’ to you.
I will show kindness to anyone I choose, and I will show mercy to anyone I choose.
20 But you may not look directly at My face, for no one may see Me and live."
-- Psalm 27:13,14
13 Yet I am confident that I will see the LORD’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
14 Wait patiently for the LORD.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.
--- L.A.B. ---
27:13 - The “land of the living” simply means “this life.” David was obviously going through a trial, but he was confident that in this present life, God would see him through it.
27:14 - David knew from experience what it meant to wait for the Lord. He had been anointed king at age 16 but didn’t become king until he was 30. During the interim, he was chased through the wilderness by jealous King Saul. David had to wait on God for the fulfillment of His promise to reign. Later, after becoming king, he was chased by his rebellious son, Absalom.
Waiting for God is not easy. Often it seems that he isn’t answering our prayers or doesn’t understand the urgency of our situation. That kind of thinking implies that God is not in control or is not fair. But God is worth waiting for.
Lamentations 3:24-26 calls us to hope in and wait for the Lord because often God uses times of waiting to refresh, renew, and teach us.
Make good use of your waiting times by discovering what God may be trying to teach you in them.
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-- 2 Peter 1:3-7
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by
His own glory and goodness.
4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious
promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith
goodness; and to goodness,
knowledge;
6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control,
perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly kindness, love.
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-- Psalms 96:1-4
1 Sing a new song to the LORD!
Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!
2 Sing to the LORD; bless His name.
Each day proclaim the good news that He saves.
3 Publish His glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.
4 Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
He is to be revered above all the gods.
--- LAB ---
The psalmist sings out his praises to God, overwhelmed by all that God has done. As we reflect on
God’s majesty and His goodness to us, we cannot help telling others about Him.
Witnessing comes naturally when our hearts are full of appreciation for what He has done. God has chosen to use us to “publish
His glorious deeds among the nations.” Praise for our great God overflows from His creation and should overflow from our lips.
How well are you doing at telling others about God’s greatness and
goodness?
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-- Psalms 23:6
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
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