- Psalm 116:1–9 - I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
- Psalm 145:9 - The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
- Romans 2:11 - For there is no respect of persons with God.
- Matthew 5:45 - That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
- Psalm 84:11–12 - For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
According to Psalm 116:1–9, even when life is difficult, God's goodness remains unchanged. God's goodness, like His other attributes, is infinite and immutable. Therefore, everything He does is good. Sometimes, looking at the difficulties in our lives, we might think that God is not showing us this attribute. But complex situations and our limited understanding do not change Who He is. Circumstances may not be good, but God's goodness does not depend on circumstances. The Holy Scripture says that God is good to all and shows no partiality. Sometimes, frankly, we want God to be more 'on our side' and for people we consider bad not to live well. But Jesus says that God 'makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.' We must not forget that we believers also do not deserve God's grace. He gives it to us freely because His nature is to do good. He loves the whole world—both believers and non-believers. If we want to fully experience the goodness of God, we must believe in Him, accept His love, and live in obedience. For those who love Him and walk in righteousness, God pours out His blessings abundantly—He withholds nothing.
Reflection
How can you trust in God's unchanging nature even in moments when you do not feel His goodness in your life?
