God is Good

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever" (Ps. 136:1, ESV).

Here the psalmist reminds us that the Lord is worthy of continual praise. Gratitude should be the heart response of every believer. We should have a song of thanksgiving always issuing from our hearts, because the Lord is good and his steadfast love endures forever.

What does it mean to say that God is good? The concept of God's goodness can be fleshed out as we draw on what he has revealed of himself through the Scriptures. We know that God cannot tempted with evil, he cannot lie, and he cannot break his word. We know that by his very nature he defines righteousness; God can only do what is right. God is perfect in all way imaginable. He is holy and merciful, just and kind, all-powerful and gentle. God's goodness is captured in his willingness to rescue his people. He longs for their good and his glory.

Closely related to his goodness, actually inseparable from, is God's steadfast love. His love is loyal and true. It is unshakable. The love that God has revealed by sending Christ into the world to die for sinners, is non-retractable. God cannot revoke it, not because he is compelled by some outward force, but because he cannot violate who he is. God is love, and he demonstrates his love toward us through Christ's atoning death. As Paul reminds us nothing can remove his love from us (see Rom 8:31-39).

In light of these truths it is fitting that we thank the Lord. He is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. His goodness is unquestionable, as is his love. His love endures forever, and upon this rock we must build our trust. His loving goodness are our refuge in the storm, and our joy in the day of blessing. So, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."