more about goodness

Wednesday night in my caregroup, we sang two songs centered on the goodness of God. I'm thinking this is something God wants me to focus on... I was especially encouraged by a few lines in the chorus of the one of the old Sovereign Grace songs "You're So Good to Me":

"For you have crowned my days
With overwhelming grace
Lord, You're so good to me
Though troubles fall like rain
This precious truth remains
Lord, You're so good to me
Yes You're so good to me..."

Those 3 lines sparked such joy in my heart. Truth is not changed by circumstances. This is truth: God is good to all those whom He has chosen. (indeed, His goodness is shown even to those who rebel against Him in the form of common grace. "Did the sun come up this morning?" as John Piper would say--but that's for another post.) The truth of God's goodness has a solid foundation in the gospel. No other appearance of goodness is needed to prove that God is who He says He is, than the death of His Son in the place of wicked sinners. Indeed, what evidence could be greater? "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15.13)

As I have sought passages that reference God's goodness, there is a theme I want to apply to my life. Scripture speaks of God's people as being satisfied in God's abundant goodness.
"Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!" Psalm 65.4

This is what I want. I want to be satisfied in His goodness. Not just read about it or believe it, but dwell* in it. No matter how many torrential downpours may fall upon those I love or myself in the future, may I never doubt His goodness.
"Oh, how abudnant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!" (ps. 31)


*dwell, verb
1.to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside.
2.to live or continue in a given condition or state: "to dwell in happiness".
3.to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing (often fol. by on or upon): "to dwell on a particular point in an argument".