Walk Of Life – Day 12, August 2022 – Thoughts From The Book Of Psalms
God’s great goodness
Psalms 31: 18, 19
Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
It was the day of the final exam in classroom at Hannibal-LaGrange College in Missouri back in 2002. A student, Denise Banderman, walked in a few minutes before the professor. Then the professor walked in and said “Its all there in your text book. You are responsible for the content” The test began and everyone turned over their paper to write the answers. To their astonishment, the answers were all filled and each one’s name written in red ink. As they all stared baffled, the professor said
“All the answers on your test are correct. You will receive an A on the final exam. The reason you passed the test is because the creator of the test took it for you. All the work you did in preparation for this test did not help you get the A.”(Denise Banderman, Hannibal, Missouri; cited in PreachingToday.com, “Professor Takes Students’ Test for Them”)
Similar to this story is one in the Bible, where irrespective of the time the laborers came to do the work, they received exactly the same wage. The master did it for reasons best known to him alone. In both cases, the result was undeserved. Many of the laborers received one day pay for one hour’s work and the students received an ‘A’ for a paper that was answered by the professor at his choice. These are beautiful examples of goodness…undeserved mercies and grace bestowed upon us every single day.
When Moses asked the Lord to show His glory, He said “I will make my goodness pass before you.” Yes God is good and doeth good. (Psalm 119:168). You know what, whatever you may be going through today, the Lord meant it unto good. He is working for your good and will ensure that you have a bright and happy future. He cares for you, loves you, you are the object of His love and affection and He will only do you good. It may seem that He hid His face for a moment but remember He makes no mistake and is truly a Good God.
God shows His goodness in His beautiful creation and all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. God saw and it was good. His goodness is shown in the great price He paid for us on Calvary’s cross. He died for us while we were yet sinners. He has kept heaven in store for us and blessings that we can never comprehend. He is good to us even when we despise Him, forsake Him, forget Him and be content in our ways. In every step of the way, we can see the loving hand of God leading and guiding us.
Praise Him for His great goodness. He will carry us through. This beautiful hymn is a fond reminder of Gods goodness:
“Lord, You preserve my life from death
and dangers every hour;
I cannot draw another breath
unless You give me power.
My health and friends and parents dear
to me by God are given;
I have not any blessing here
but what is sent from heaven.
Such goodness, Lord, and constant care
a child cannot repay;
but may it be my daily prayer
to love You and obey.”
