How do you respond to the goodness of God in your life? I have known of people that didn’t see the goodness of God in their lives. Why would someone think that way or say something like that? Most likely it is spoken out of ignorance or a hurt they have experienced or are experiencing. The unsaved man or woman can be given a pass for not understanding. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (I Corinthians 2:14). Those who don’t know Christ operate in darkness. But the child of God should be different. If they have only an inkling spiritual discernment the goodness of God is seen everywhere. For someone that is looking, no matter how deep the waters being traveled, the goodness of God is always on display.
Psalm 116 is a wonderful song the Hebrews would sing. I look forward to one day learning the melody of these words. The verses I want to focus on today are 116:12-14. Three thoughts about these three verses.
Receiving God’s goodness. (116:13a). “I will take the cup of salvation, …” Only a few days ago, I celebrated my spiritual birthday. It seems as though it was only yesterday, but my Christian life began fifty-three years ago. I took the cup of the Lord’s salvation and my life has been one of joy knowing that heaven would be my ultimate home. To not take the free gift of salvation is nuts in my mind yet there are multitudes that want the world and its trinkets instead of the living water offered by Christ. Having Christ is the greatness act of goodness the Lord has bestowed on me. He gave me eternal life when no one else could.
Recognition of God’s goodness. (116:13b). “… and call upon the name of the Lord.” I know who butters my bread. I almost titled this blog that last phrase. I see the benefits God has blessed me with every day. The love and care God gives me and you can’t be measured. Even as we travel deep waters of personal trials and sufferings if we choose to look the goodness of God is displayed as though it was on a huge billboard. Yesterday, I was talking on the phone to one of our missionaries. He’s eighty years old. Recent hip replacement but he is still excited about what God is doing in his field. Less than a year ago, he was in Africa for about three months and he’s planning on another trip next year. Not only does he spend three months away from home but his wife does also. He has meetings planned in South America and throughout the Caribbean. I got exhausted just thinking about what he’s up too. After we got off the phone, I thanked God for all his goodness to one of his choice servants and for his goodness in letting me have a little part in helping a co-worker in the Lord’s vineyard. One of our fine men is having health issues and is currently in rehab. He doesn’t want to be there and is working hard to get home but I saw the goodness of God in neon lights two days ago when he told me he had led one of the nurses to Christ. If you are looking you recognize the goodness of God not matter the strain you are under.
Response to the goodness of God. (116:14). “I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.” Two things jump to my mind immediately from this verse. The psalmist declares that he will, he’s decided, he will do things for God. The Christian life is one of service. We don’t “do” to get saved. Salvation is a “done” issue. Jesus paid it all and there isn’t a single thing you can add to the deal. However, once you are saved your living for God is expected. The desire of a Christian is to do something for the Lord. In our text today the song writer asks in verse 12 “what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” Jehovah had been so good to him he just wanted to do something in return. King David was in this mindset when he desired the build God a house. He had a house and thought God needed one even greater. We can debate whether that was the right thing to do or not but the desire on David’s part was to do something in honor of God. The second thing I see in this verse is where he plans to pay these vows. He says he will pay these vows “in the presence of all his people.” It seems to be a common acceptance that David is the author of this psalm. That attribution may be because he wrote so many others but if it was him, it would be consistent with his heart for God. Do you remember when he took off his royal robe and danced as the Ark of Testimony was being brought to Jerusalem? He offered sacrifices every few paces and celebrated publicly before the people. I can worship God privately and I can serve God privately sometime but not serving God publicly robs the church of gifts the Lord has given for the edification of the church. It is my responsibility to serve the Lord privately and publicly and encourage others to do the same.
So, do you see the goodness of God in your life? Are you saved? Do you have food to eat? Do you have a place to sleep? Do you have peace and contentment when thousands of others do not? Are you blessed with family? Are you blessed with friends? I know our church members are blessed with a great church family. I have never known a better bunch than the people of Corinth Baptist Church. Look for God’s goodness all day, every day.