I was not raised in a Christian home and atmosphere. However, occasionally someone might say a “blessing” on the food. The little memorized prayer would go like this: “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food. By His hands we are fed, thank you Lord for daily bread.” That would be the sum total of spiritual activity at my house as a child, and it was very rare.

Much is said in the Bible about the goodness of God. For example, Romans 2:4 reads, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” But I have learned that God is good, and it is a part of who He is. He is intrinsically good. God’s character is totally good. I have come realize that God is good whether He is ever good to me or not!

However, I am so very thankful that God is, in fact, good to me! He is far more gracious, loving and kind to me than I deserve! God’s goodness can be seen in His creation, in His provisions, and in His mercy and grace. God is good all the time, even in our so-called tragedies and crises. In fact, the goodness of God will lead a person to God if they follow His goodness to its logical conclusion.

I have a sermon idea brewing on the “back burner” of my mind. It is a work in progress and one that I hope to preach someday soon. It speaks of God’s goodness to me in several areas of life. God has shown goodness and grace to me by protecting me, providing for me, preserving me. He is even good to me by punishing me for my personal sins and rebellion. God chastises every son or daughter that He receives, much in the same way that a human father who loves his children will chastise them.  If a person who claims to be a Christian, can get by with a lifestyle of sin, they are not really a child of God, because He chastises all of His children. God’s goodness can also be clearly seen in his patience toward to me. His mercies are new and fresh every morning. He is a long-suffering God.

I just wanted  to take a moment out of my day to praise God for his goodness, and particularly his goodness toward to me and my family. Whether anyone acknowledges this fact or not, God has been far better to all of us than we deserve! I do not want what I deserve, but I want mercy and grace. As a lost sinner, I deserve death and judgment in hell forever. But thanks be unto God for the unspeakable gift of his Son Jesus Christ, who died on a cruel, Roman cross and paid the sacrifice for the sins of the world (John 3:16). Jesus was buried and rose again to life on the third day! He now lives in heaven making intercession for us. The Bible declares that whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved, (Romans 10:13).

Do you know Jesus today? Are you ready to meet God? When your heart beats for the last time, and your lungs exhale their last breath, where would you spend eternity?  Are you ready for the judgment day?  If not you can be and should be. Call upon the name of Jesus, repent of your sins, and by faith ask Jesus to save you now! God is great and God is good!