Mercy and Goodness

Psalm 118:1

Oh, give thanks to the LORD,

   for He is good!

Because His mercy endures 

   forever.  (NKJ)

     The Author and Finisher of life deserves every ounce of thanks and praise that we can possibly muster, because without God, the merciful Giver of all good things, we would have no hope and nothing good to enjoy.  Mercy and goodness are His nature; the very essence of who He is and what He does.  God is God.  He always has been and always will be, for He can never ceases being God.   Everything that is good and righteous comes from above, and everything else comes from the darkness below.  If you are the kind of person that can only praise God when life is good, you must rise to a higher level and praise God no matter what your circumstances are.  Although there are things about this fallen world that can certainly question God's mercy and goodness, there remains one absolute truth that we should never question: God’s desire to save all people from certain death and destruction.  The Father’s disposition concerning mankind may vary from time to time, but the mercy and goodness of His steadfast faithfulness to save never changes. 

     The Living God is still pouring out His amazing grace on a world that is filled with people who have embraced the darkness of Satan—a world filled with people who love their sin and themselves more than God, and they are rebellious against anything that is godly or righteous.  The steadfast patience of our Lord God and Savior is beyond our understanding, because the stench of evil in this world is out of control.  Even though we are all deeply guilty of sin and deserve condemnation, God has (in His mercy and goodness) graciously chosen to forgive all of our sins through the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ.  If you have accepted this undeserved gift from God, you should thank Him every day of your life.  But if you have not accepted His offer, you should thank Him anyways, because He is giving you time to repent.  There are many reasons to praise our God in Heaven with joy and thanksgiving, especially when you know Him! 

                                 A Whisper of Hope

My goodness, dear child…is found in the mercy that I pour out on you everyday of your life.  It is my nature; the essence of who I AM.  I AM Love, Kindness, Gracious, Merciful, and Goodness.  But I AM also perfectly holy and just in everything.

James 1:17

Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from

God above, who created all heaven’s lights.  (NLT)

                                    

              If we confess our sins to Him, 

      He is faithful and just to forgive us.

                            (1 John 1:9)