“You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.” (Ps. 119:68)

The Psalmist stated the fact that God is good or benevolent. Indeed, good is who God is (Ps. 25:8). During the creation, God saw that His creation was good (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). After God created man, He saw everything that He made was very good (Gen. 1:31). When Moses wished to see God’s glory, God told him that He would make all His goodness pass before him (Ex. 33:18-19) and He did (Ex. 34:5-8). Every good and perfect gift comes from the All-Benevolent One (Jm. 1:17).

God’s goodness blesses us materially (Mt. 5:45; Acts 14:17). God’s goodness is seen in His good and perfect law which is for our benefit (Rm. 7:12; Jm. 1:25; Dt. 6:24; 1 Jn. 5:3). The gospel is itself good news centered on Christ and His kingdom (Rm. 10:15; 1 Cor. 15:1-8; Acts 8:5, 12). The fact that God gave us His Son is not only a reflection of His love but also His goodness (Jn. 3:13-17). God placed all spiritual blessings in His Son who is good (Eph. 1:3; Mt. 19:16-17).

God’s goodness demands that we be good in a number of ways (Eph. 2:10; Gal. 6:10; Rm. 12:17-21; 3 Jn. 11). God’s goodness also demands that He hates and punishes wickedness (Ex. 34:7). We must also hate evil and love good (Am. 5:15). Do not forget that we are in spiritual warfare against the forces of evil (2 Cor. 10:3-6; Eph. 6:10-18). God is perfect in His goodness and if we listen to and love Him, all things will work together for good ultimately (Rm. 8:28).

Trent Thrasher

“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thes. 5:18)

We all must be a people of thanksgiving:

• Thankful for our existence (Acts 17:28; Gen. 1:26-28).
• Thankful for the many blessings God bestows on us each day (Ps. 68:19; Matt. 5:45, 6:11; Acts 14:17; 1 Tim. 4:4).
• Thankful for each other and the mutual faith, hope, and love we share (Rom. 1:8, 16:4; 1 Cor. 1:4; Phil. 1:3; Col. 1:3; 1 Thes. 1:2; 2 Thes. 1:3).
• Thankful to serve (1 Tim. 1:12).
• Thankful for Christ and the victory through and in Him (1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14, 9:15).
• Thankful for God’s goodness, mercy, and grace (Ps. 118:1-2; Ps. 136).
• Thankful for God’s holiness (Ps. 30:4, 97:12).
• Thankful for the reception of God’s Word (1 Thes. 2:13).
• Thankful that God hears our prayers (John 11:41).
• Thankful when one obeys the Gospel (Rom. 6:17).
• Thankful for all people (1 Tim. 2:1).
• Thankful for all things at all times (Eph. 5:20; 1 Thes. 5:18).
  

My family is certainly grateful to be laboring here in Big Spring with the 14th and Main church of Christ. Y’all are indeed a blessing and we thank God for each of you!

Trent Thrasher

“Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?” (Job 37:16)

Elihu asked a rhetorical question to Job which informs us of the perfection [fullness; completeness] of God’s knowledge. The fancy term is “omniscience” meaning all-knowledge. God knows all the parameters that the Universe is governed by for He created it (cf. Job 38). He knows about all of the animals and other creatures (cf. Job 39:1-30; Job 40:15-41:34). He knows all of our thoughts [the contents of the heart] (cf. Job 42:1-3; Ezek. 11:5; 1 Kings 8:39). He knows about all our doings (cf. Ps. 139:1-6). He knows things which have not come to pass (cf. Isa. 46:10). He knows secret things (cf. Deut. 29:29; Ecc. 12:14; Heb. 4:13).

This perfect knowledge coupled with His other attributes [holiness; righteousness; truthfulness] makes God the perfect Judge (cf. Gen. 18:25). He has all the evidence! We cannot hide anything from God. Ananias and Sapphira tried that and they paid the ultimate price (cf. Acts 5:1-11). Remember, God revealed His will for us so that we can follow it and be with Him forever in Heaven (Deut. 29:29; Eph. 5:17; Rom. 12:1-2). Let us be transparent, honest, and righteous before the All-Knowing One!

Trent Thrasher