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God is Good - November 2026
Vol. CVIII, Number 3, Nov 2026.
Contents
GOD IS GOOD
THE GOODNESS OF GOD
By Charles Hodge
EDITOR’S LETTER
SEEING GOD’S GOODNESS HERE
By C H Spurgeon
GOD IS GOOD
By A W Pink
OUR GOOD FATHER
By The Editor
WHAT MORE CAN GOD SAY?
By V Raymond Edman
GOODNESS OF THE SPIRIT
By H W Cragg
BLESSING WILL COME
By Rev Mark Weeden
THE PATHWAY TO THE THRONE
By Mrs Jessie Penn-Lewis
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34 v8).
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THE GOODNESS OF GOD.
By Charles Hodge
Goodness, in the Scriptural sense of the term, includes kindness, love, mercy, and grace. Kindness means the promotion of happiness to everyone. God’s love includes desire and delight, and has humans as its object. Mercy is kindness exercised towards the miserable, and includes pity, compassion, and gentleness, which the Scriptures so abundantly ascribe to God. Grace is love exercised towards the unworthy. The love of a holy God to sinners is the most mysterious attribute of the divine nature. The manifestation of this is the special design of redemption. God saves sinners, "in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2 v7).
We know that goodness exists in God without measure and without end, compared to any type of goodness that may be found in us. In Him goodness is infinite, eternal and unchanging.
The goodness of God in the form of kindness is revealed in the whole of nature. As the universe teems with life, it teems also with enjoyment. There are no devices in nature for the promotion of pain for its own sake, whereas the signs of design for the production of happiness are beyond numbering. The manifestation of the goodness of God in the form of love, and especially of love to the undeserving, is the outcome of the work of redemption. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3 v16). "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4 v10). Paul prayed that believers might be able “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3 v18-19).
Love in us includes delight in its object, with the desire of communion. We must believe that God is love in the sense in which that word comes home to every human heart. The Scriptures say, "As a father has compassion on His children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him" (Psalm 103 v13). He meant what He said when He proclaimed Himself as "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34 v6). John wrote, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4 v7-11). The word love has the same sense throughout this passage. God is love, and love in Him is, by nature, that same love given to us. In this we rejoice, and will rejoice.
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THE EDITOR’S LETTER.
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the November issue. The theme of this issue is God is Good. It is a subject that merits much study. The Bible is full of verses about goodness and doing good. And it is our Lord’s love to us, and goodness in us, that will lead us home.
In Christ,
Editor
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SEEING GOD’S GOODNESS HERE.
By C H Spurgeon
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27 v13).
David had many troubles, especially in the latter part of his life, and he says that he would have “lost heart” under them if he had not remained confident that, “the goodness of the Lord” would be seen in that land which was full of trouble. David believed he would see goodness, not only in heaven, but also here below. He believed he would see it, not only when he emerged from the furnace, but also in it. He did not always see it, but he believed and anticipated, and because of this he actually saw it in his mind, and rejoiced in it.
We all know that this world is a very unpromising field for faith. According to our varied experiences, we all subscribe to the statement that this earth is, more or less, a valley of tears, and that it is not our rest, for it is polluted. There are too many thorns here for us to live comfortably. This world is under the curse, so by the sweat of our face we work to eat until we return to the earth out of which humanity was formed. If this world really was our home, it would be terrible for us. To live in this huge penal settlement would be so sad, knowing that we would dwell with the curse forever, and where we have only the shadow of the Cross to sustain us under it. But faith comes and we believe that we will see the goodness of the Lord even here. Faith rushes into the fiercest fight that rages here, fully believing that she will see the banner of the Lord’s mercy and truth. Faith bears the burden and heat of the earthly work, and expects to experience the kindness of the Lord in it all. Faith knows that she will see more of God, but continues to believe in the goodness of the Lord even in this land which is so disturbed with cares, trials and tribulations.
I want to show you that firstly faith is infallibly persuaded of God’s goodness, secondly that she clearly expects to see that goodness, and, thirdly that it is this expectation and belief which sustains the soul of the believer.
1. FAITH IS ASSURED OF HIS GOODNESS.
Faith is persuaded of this from what she knows of God. She could not believe that He could be anything other than good. She reads the promises recorded in His Word, and she believes that they are all true and reliable. She can detect nothing that is unkind or ungenerous in any of them, they are the gentlest and most consoling of words. The language used was selected on purpose to make the promise suitable and sweet to her heart. She feels sure that God could not be unkind. With the psalmist, she cries, “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart” (Psalm 73 v1). And though, like the psalmist, she may have to write afterwards, “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold” (Psalm 73 v2) yet she stands fast to her first declaration, “Surely God is good to Israel,” however much circumstances may seem to prove the contrary. She knows that, from the nature of God, He must be good to His people both here and in the hereafter.
When faith turns to the Bible, and reads the history of the Lord’s people, she sees that God has been good to them, and, knowing that He is “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13 v8) she happily believes that He will also be good to her. Since she can clearly see that the trials and difficulties of the saints of old always brought about lasting good, she is convinced that her trials and troubles will work out for her eternal good, and that God will bless her now as He blessed His saints in the past.
If someone said to you, “God has been very unkind to you, I am sure that you cannot see the goodness of God displayed in your life,” you would at once defend the character of your God from such an unjust slander and accusation. You would have in the depths of your soul a firm confidence in the goodness of God to you. You need to stir up that holy fire, and set it blazing to get comfort from its warmth, for it is true that God is now good, always good and good to the highest possible degree of goodness to all His children, in their worst problems, and their darkest seasons of sorrow.
But there are some conditions of life in which it is really a trial to faith to believe in the goodness of the Lord, for instance, that of continual poverty. Some of God’s saints are so poor that they not only lack luxuries, but they even lack the necessities of life. As a rule, possibly without exception, God gives His people bread and water, but sometimes the bread is only a very small portion, and the cup of water a very tiny one. Unbelief asks, “can this be the goodness of the Lord?” but Faith answers, “Yes, it is, and it must be, I would faint in this poverty, I should give up in despair if, under all my trials and hardships, I were not sure of the goodness of God to me. If I even starved to death, God would still have a good word out of my dying mouth.”
We sometimes imagine that we could alter slightly some of the arrangements of divine providence. We would not interfere with the great wheels that are ever revolving, but just here and there, where a small cog inconveniently touches our personal interests, we would like to have it altered, but as we sometimes imagine, the great wheels grind on, our comforts are taken from us, and our joy is destroyed. What then?
Let us continue to say, “yet not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22 v42). It is far easier for me to say this than it is for the poor widow to carry it out, and easier for me to say it than it is for that weeping mother, who has seen all her children taken to the grave. But, if it is harder for you, then I would urge you to say it, for the great difficulty of submission, when you have done it, will prove the sincerity of your confidence in God, and bring more glory to Him. So, as we bury our friends and relatives, and commit the precious dust to the earth, let us continue to believe that we will see the goodness of the Lord even there. If we do not look at our sorrows in that light, we shall grow weary under our repeated losses and griefs, but if His goodness is the light in which we view them, we shall see His glory in this life, and shall rejoice in the full assurance of the goodness of the Lord to us, and even more to those who have gone to be “with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4 v17).
Another thing that may weigh upon us, is a desert period in our communion with God, which can come in life. Sometimes, we are left in the dark. Whether you are or not, I know that I have been where I could not see sun, moon, stars or even get a word from His mouth to make my spirit happy. At such times, we must remember that ancient message, “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of His servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God” (Isaiah 50 v10). If you cannot see, you must believe that you will see, and if your heart feels like a stone, still believe that Christ is your life, and if, instead of holy meditations, your soul is troubled with blasphemous temptations and evil thoughts, still hold on to Jesus. If, instead of clear evidences of salvation, you are afraid that the Lord has forsaken you, and given you up, and you fall into an unbelieving frame of mind, go again to the fountain filled with blood, so that all your sin will be washed away. Trust Christ even more, “when the enemy comes in like a flood,” for then, “The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59 v19). There are some Christians who never have any conflict raging within their souls. If that is true Christian experience, I wish I could get that constant peace and rest, and never again have to wrestle with sins, doubts and fears. But, if we cannot reach that position, and I believe that is most of us, then let us walk by faith, so that we will be triumphant under the discouragements of our inward spiritual conflicts.
One other point, is that for many believers the sharpest trials they ever have to endure, arise from troubles connected with the Church of Christ. What a grief it is to the Godly when any portion of the Church does not prosper, when arguments arise among the members, and when all our attempts to mend this only make it worse. It is sad to see other professing Christians careless and worldly.
Even amidst such trials as these, we must believe that we will see the goodness of the Lord. We must still believe that the great Head of the Church has not forgotten her, that in her darkest times he still wears her name upon His heart, and that He will return to her in mercy, cast out all her enemies, repair her broken walls, and cause the banner of His love to float again over her.
2. FAITH NOT ONLY BELIEVES IN THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD, BUT SHE EXPECTS TO SEE IT HERE.
Sometimes, faith sees it very soon. God does not guarantee to let His people on earth see the reason for all His providential dealings with them, but He does occasionally do so. There are some believers who have lived to see the goodness of God.
But faith does not always expect to see the goodness of God here all at once. She knows that this is the land of mist and fog, and she is glad if she can see one step at a time. And she is then satisfied to go on, even if she cannot see the next step. She puts her foot down in what seems to be a thick cloud, but she finds solid ground beneath her. Without seeing where she is going, she relies upon the faithfulness of God, and again she is safe, so she pursues her way in the thick darkness, and with greater joy than those who see far ahead, and compliment themselves upon their wisdom. She knows that the day has not yet dawned for the shadows have not yet fled away, so, while she is in this mortal body, she walks by faith, not by sight.
Faith understands that at present humanity is not given enough knowledge that would enable them to see the goodness of the Lord distinctly. Even if a child is taught well, they can seldom understand the discipline of a father. The father is the best judge, he has seen more of life, he knows what the child does not know, and foresees what the child does not even dream of. How can I, who can only see a little pool in front of me, judge how the Lord should manage the great ocean?
Here I am sailing in my tiny toy boat upon a pond. Can I lay down rules of navigation for God in steering the leviathans of the deep across the seas? This is foolish pride, in what I don’t understand or know. God is only wise. Lie down, then, and trust when you cannot understand.
Faith also knows that, at present, she cannot see the whole plan of God’s providential dealings with humanity. We cannot easily judge the work of providence by gazing at a part of it. God sees the end from the beginning, and when the great drama of time will be complete, then the splendour as well as the goodness of the Lord will be seen. When the whole painting is unrolled in one vast panorama, then we will see its beauty, and appreciate the skill of the Divine Artist. But, here, we only look at one little patch of shade, or one tiny touch of colour, and it appears to us to be rough. It may be that in eternity we will be permitted to see the whole of the picture. Meanwhile, let us firmly believe that He who paints it knows how to do it, and that He orders all things according to the counsel of His own will. He will always do what is best for us.
3. THERE IS A WONDERFULLY SUSTAINING THING ABOUT THE BELIEF IN THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD.
Let me add that there is such sustaining power about believing to see the goodness of the Lord here, and an even higher belief of seeing the goodness of the Lord in another and better world than this. The expectation of that joy will hold us up far above all the trials and troubles of this present life, so let us ask the Holy Spirit to administer to us this heavenly hope. Then, in the strength of the Lord, let us go and serve Him, with body, soul and spirit, with the greatest possible effort we can.
From: Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, No. 766.
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GOD IS GOOD.
By Arthur W Pink
“THE GOODNESS OF GOD ENDURES CONTINUALLY” (Psalm 52 v1). The goodness of God refers to the perfection of His nature, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1 v5).
There is such an absolute perfection in God’s nature and being that nothing is wanting or defective in it, and nothing can be added to it to make it better. He is originally good, which nothing else is, for all creatures are good only by participation and communication from God. He is essentially good, not only good, but goodness itself. Human good is an added quality, in God it is His essence. He is infinitely good, human good is a drop, but in God there in an infinite ocean of good. He is eternally and immutably good, for He cannot be less good than He is. There can be no addition made to Him, so no subtraction from Him.
God is the highest good.
The original meaning of our English word God is “The Good.” God is not only the greatest of all beings, but the best. Any goodness there is in anyone has been put there from the Creator, but His goodness is underived, for it is the essence of His eternal nature. As God is infinite in power from all eternity, before there was any display of it, so He was eternally good before there was any communication of His generosity, or anyone to whom it might be given. Thus, the first sign of this divine perfection was in creating all things. “You are good, and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees” (Psalm 119 v68).
God has in Himself an infinite and inexhaustible treasure of all blessedness, enough to fill all things. All that comes from God, His decrees, His creation, His laws and His providences, are only good, as it is written, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” (Genesis 1 v31). Thus, the goodness of God is first seen in creation. The more closely humanity is studied, the more the generosity of its Creator becomes apparent. Take, the highest of God’s earthly creatures, humans. Their reasoning is in this Psalm, “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (139 v14). Everything about the structure of our bodies point to the goodness of their Maker. How suited are hands to perform their work. How good of the Lord to appoint sleep to refresh the tired body. How kind is His provision to give us eyelids and brows for their protection. Nor is the goodness of the Creator confined to humanity, it is exercised toward all His creatures. “The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing” (Psalm 145 v15-16).
Whole books could be written about this fact. Whether it is the birds of the air, the animals of the forest or the fish in the sea, abundant provision has been made to supply their every need. God “gives food to every creature. His love endures forever” (Psalm 136 v25). Truly, “the earth is full of His unfailing love” (Psalm 33 v5). The goodness of God is seen in the variety of pleasures which He has provided for His creatures. God might have been pleased to satisfy our hunger without the food tasting good, but in His kindness there are flavours which He has given to meats, vegetables and fruit. God has not only given us senses, but also that which gratifies them, and this too reveals His goodness. The earth might have been as fertile as it is without its surface being so beautiful. Our physical lives could have been sustained without beautiful flowers to look at, and our nostrils with their sweet perfumes. We might have walked the fields without our ears hearing the music of the birds. His loveliness is freely seen over all nature.
The compassion of the Lord is “on all He has made” (Psalm 145 v9). The goodness of God was seen when humans transgressed the law of the Creator, but a dispensation of wrath did not immediately start. He could have deprived His fallen creatures of every blessing, comfort and pleasure. Instead, He gave a regime of mercy and judgment. This is wonderful, and the more we examine His ways with humanity the more they will show that “mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2 v13). Despite all the evils which affect our fallen state, the balance of good greatly outweighs the bad. With very few exceptions, humans experience a far greater number of days of health than they do of sickness and pain. There is much more happiness given to humanity than misery in the world. Even our sorrows are considerably alleviated, and God has given us a mind that adapts itself to circumstances and makes the most of them.
Nor can the kindness of God be called into question because there is suffering and sorrow in the world. If anyone sins against the goodness of God, they despise “the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience” and because of the stubbornness of their unrepentant heart they will store up wrath against themselves on the day of God’s wrath (Romans 2 v4, 5). There is no one to blame but themselves. God would not be good if He did not punish those who abuse His kindness, and trample His mercies beneath their feet. It will be no reflection upon God’s goodness, but rather a clear example of it, when He rids the earth of those who have broken His laws, mocked His messengers, scorned His Son, and persecuted those for whom He died.
The goodness of God appeared plainly when He sent His Son. “When the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4 v4-5). A multitude of the heavenly host praised their Maker and said, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests” (Luke 2 v14). Yes, in the Gospel the “grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people” (Titus 2 v11). In Biblical Greek the word “grace” conveys the idea of kindness or goodness.
Nor can God’s goodness be called into question because He has not forced each sinner to receive His redemptive grace. He did not bestow it upon the fallen angels. Had God left all to perish it would have been no reflection on His goodness. Our Lord’s sovereign prerogative, “Is it not lawful for Me to do what I wish with My own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?” (Matthew 20 v15).
Praise the Lord for His goodness, “let them praise the Lord for His loving kindness, for His wonderful works for the descendants of Adam” (Psalm 107 v8). Gratitude is required from the objects of His generosity, yet is it often withheld from Him simply because His goodness is so constant and abundant. It is easily ignored because it is given to us in everyday events. It is not felt because we experience it daily. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness?” (Romans 2 v4). His goodness is taken for granted, despised and ignored. It should be the opportunity for people to repent, but instead of changing they get hardened and mistakenly assume that God entirely overlooks their sin, because He mercifully delays their punishment, and so they continue in their wrong doing.
The goodness of God is the life of the believer’s trust. It is this excellent belief in God that appeals most to our hearts. Because His goodness endures forever, we should never be discouraged, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him” (Nahum 1 v7).
When others behave badly to us, it should only stir us up to give thanks to the Lord, because He is good and when we are conscious that we are far from being good, we should reverently bless Him that is good. We must never tolerate any unbelief about the goodness of the Lord. Whatever else may be questioned, it is absolutely certain that Jehovah is good, His dispensations may vary, but His nature is always the same.
From: ‘The Attributes of God’.
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OUR GOOD FATHER.
By The Editor
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5 v22-23).
“I and the Father are one” (John 10 v30), were the words of our Lord Jesus Christ to the questioning Jews who met Him. Prior to this, in His earthly ministry, He said to the Jewish leaders, “I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does” (John 5 v19). So, what was it that the Father did, that the Son copied?
The Bible explains the Lord’s work, from His baptism to the Cross, as coming from the Father who, “anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10 v38). Clearly, healing was done by the power of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. As was “doing good.” In Greek the meaning is more like, “doing the work of a philanthropic benefactor”. Interestingly we see here an aspect of Christ’s ministry that is somewhat hidden by the small English word “good”. It gives the impression of a great giver, who would give, not for any needs-driven want of glory or human accolade, but because there is a need to improve the life of another from a purely generous heart. There is also the idea of financial uplifting of the individual, for Judas in John 12 verse 5 implied that Jesus gave money to the poor and needy in His ministry, showing the immeasurable charity and generosity of our Lord, as the Psalmist decreed, “You are good, and what You do is good” (Psalm 119 v68). Our response should be to, “Celebrate all the good things that the Lord your God has given you and your family” (Deuteronomy 26 v11). Truly, those who know Him, can say that His good nature has been seen by us in this sin-cursed world, otherwise how would we have believed?
It is written that “the goodness of God leads you to repentance” (Romans 2 v4). Only when we have seen with our eyes of faith that He is good can we first say of Him that He is “my true Father, the Heavenly Father of Lights, my Abba.” This was the experience of the Prodigal Son. We sinners are bad, but Father God is good. We are rebellious, but He is forgiving and welcoming. We are desperate for love, He is love. We are lost, He is waiting for us to come home. Only, when the Father, “threw His arms around him and kissed him” (v20) did the Son utter “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son” in repentance (v21). In return, the Father gave him good gifts of a robe, a ring, sandals and a hearty meal. The son in the parable, like us, received what he did not deserve. In turn, his identity changed from that of a slave eating with the pigs to a son of the father. How good is our God.
Acts 10 verse 38 shows that it was the Holy Spirit’s power that was working in Jesus to do good. This is exactly as we read in Galatians when “goodness” is listed as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1 v17). The Bible portrays God as irresistibly good and kind, and unashamedly generous in the giving out of His goodness. In fact, He is the supreme essence of goodness, the pattern of how to be good and the model of goodness. So much so that correct Godly goodness can only correctly be considered possible when the Holy Spirit works to give it, through any human.
The Apostle Paul, recorded that the Roman believers were “full of goodness” (Romans 15 v14) and Luke that, “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor” (Acts 9 v36). It is reassuring to us that the pure acts of goodness done by our Lord can also be replicated in the lives of ordinary believers, because His Spirit is available to all who will receive the Holy Spirit (John 20 v22). “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2 v8-10). We are called to be children of God who replicate their Father’s goodness, “the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34 v6).
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God” (3 John 1 v11). “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12 v21).
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WHAT MORE CAN GOD SAY?
By V Raymond Edman
“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid from your faith in His excellent Word. What more can He say than to you He has said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?”
Everything that the human heart needs to know about God, His creation, His revelation to humankind, about humans themselves, is found in the Scriptures. We may have many interesting speculations about things that are not revealed to us, but the divine revelation is ample for our every need. It was about this that Peter declared, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1 v3-4).
The Bible is God’s revelation to humankind and not the result of our searching after God. Note the implication of 2 Peter, “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (1 v19-21).
We have the strongest assurance that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3 v16-17).
The Divine Word makes perfectly plain and urgent our need of God’s forgiveness of our sins and of salvation, it says plainly, “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8 v32).
The way of salvation is so simple that even a child can understand it, and so can the wisest of humans if they will, for God has said, “to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1 v12-13). To this concise and precise statement on accepting the Saviour the Bible goes on to say, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them” (John 3 v36).
For the believer in Christ there is every manner of Divine providence for this life. What could God add to what He has already stated in Romans 5, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (v1-5).
It was not only to His servant Paul but to every believer that the omniscient and all-loving God declared, “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12 v9). Because of that Divine sufficiency there is the exhortation, “Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them. For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107 v8-9).
What can God add to the assurance He indicates in His Word to every believer in Christ, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5 v24). The conclusion of that assurance is stated graphically and gloriously in Revelation, “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever” (22 v3-5).
All these statements, which are but a few of the thousands contained in the Bible, God has given to us, these promises and all that are between them. I echo the hymn writer’s, “What more can He say than to you He hath said?”
Our part is to be readers of the Word of God, believers in all that He has said, obedient followers of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and doers of the Word. Thereby we find heaven to have begun already in the believing heart while we are still here on earth.
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“What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me?”
(Psalm 116 v12).
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GOODNESS OF THE SPIRIT
By H W Cragg
Goodness - of course this should always accompany kindness or else the latter develops into a soft, watered down thing. Kindness does not mean that we allow things to happen which are not strictly good. Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit as well as kindness or gentleness. In the life of the Lord, goodness received the penitent woman on the one hand but drove out the buyers and sellers of the Temple on the other hand. Genuine goodness should go with kindness. I love to think of Barnabas of whom we read, “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith” (Acts 11 v24). Not goody-goody in the modern sense of that distasteful phrase, but genuinely good. When the Acts of the Apostles makes a comment on our Lord it says, “He went around doing good” (Acts 10 v38). Genuine goodness.
So, this is the public walk before others, that of patience, gentleness and goodness. The Bible says in Genesis 49, that “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall” (v22). I once had a debate with a solicitor about this, for I always think that, when branches run over the wall, the people on the other side of the wall are entitled to the fruit. Indeed, one of the reasons why you were saved is that some of the people on the other side of the wall might get some of the fruit, for it is the only way they are going to be touched by the Spirit of God. The fruit of the Spirit in my public walk with others.
The fruit of the Spirit in my private walk alone. Here are three very important things for personal watchfulness and prayer. As the Holy Spirit is allowed to have personal control, He will produce these in the life of the person who walks with God. Personal diligence is in mind here, and personal discipline. And let it never be assumed that the Christian life is all a matter of faith, it’s a matter of faith and works. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2 v17). Faith that doesn’t lead on to works is not true faith. Faith behaves as well as believes, and this is how it behaves. Faith, meekness and temperance.
I believe with all my heart that no life is filled with the Spirit unless the fruits are manifest. A lot of people have the idea that being filled with the Spirit is like taking a glass which is now full of air, and pouring in water, so that the water entirely fills it and there is no air in it. This is not what is meant by being filled with the Spirit, for when the Holy Spirit takes possession of you, He doesn’t empty your personality and your gifts, He takes control of them. The Holy Spirit is not a liquid. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is the control of the Holy Spirit. He takes absolute possession of every part and thus bears fruit in every part of your life.
God, please make me today as much like the Lord Jesus as a pardoned sinner can be while here below.
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“O my soul, you have said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You’” (Psalm 16 v2)
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BLESSING WILL COME
By Rev Mark Weeden
We live in this fallen world; full of sin and evil, disease and death. Usually unrecognised, but ever active, we also have an adversary, satan. It’s no surprise then that life can be full of struggles, heartache and pain. Whilst it is true, sadly, that as Christians we do sin, it is also true that we are sinned against.
Jesus Christ stated clearly that the devil is a liar, and indeed even the father of lies (John 8 v44). He lies about all manner of issues, and especially of the character of God. Frequently, he works subtly, twisting facts, sowing confusion and blending truth and error. Thoughts come to our minds, doubts arise as we wonder about difficult circumstances, question things and then begin to fear the worst. “What if?” “Why has this happened to me?” “Will I make it?” And then, “Does God really care about me?”
What is often unrecognised is that the thoughts are not our own, but skilfully planted there by the adversary. The Apostle Paul explained how the mind is a battleground in exactly that way, (2 Corinthians 4 v4 and 10 v4-5) and of the believer’s need to take every thought captive.
In Africa, a service leader will often say, “God is good,” and the congregation will respond, “All the time.” The leader picks that up, “All the time,” and the congregation echoes, “God is good!” Sometimes they will add, “For that is His nature.”
The nature of God, His essence, is goodness. Someone might say, “He is holy. Of course. But holy and distant? Holy and unsympathetic? Holy but not really noticing my difficulties, or not really able or willing to bring help to me?” The battle is in the mind, and these doubts can plague the struggling Christian.
The rich young ruler came to Jesus, addressing Him, “Good Teacher.” Jesus’ immediate response was to throw back a question, “Why do you call Me good?” Thereby, indirectly affirming His deity, in not rejecting the greeting. And then His great statement affirming the goodness of God, “No one is good - except God alone” (Luke 18 v18-19).
As followers of Jesus Christ, our ultimate adversary is not what another might say or do to us, but the devil. As Jesus pointed out, he came only to steal, to kill and to destroy (John 10 v10). David learned something significant in his experience of God. The New American Standard Bible perceptively put it, “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27 v13).
There are four things to note here. Firstly, the life circumstances of God’s people can often bring despair. Life can be tough. We do not put on a mask and pretend that everything is fine all the time, and neither should we indulge in self-pity. We exercise faith. That is the second thing in David’s statement – about believing. Thirdly, He knew that God was good, and believed he would see the goodness of God Himself. We could all agree with that, thinking. Yes, when we get to glory, we will see His goodness, and that will be forever. Whilst this is a glorious hope for the believer, it’s not what David was expecting. He believed he would see the goodness of God in the land of the living. Despite great adversity, including being pursued by King Saul who wanted to put him to death, David makes this great statement of faith.
The Baptists have a particular expression in the midst of challenges, “This, too, will pass.” That’s a confident hope of better times to come. John, the beloved Apostle put it this way, “Everyone born of God overcomes the world” (1 John 5 v4). The follower of Jesus is made to be an overcomer. How? He continues, “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith,” which is in Jesus, our deliverer.
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THE PATHWAY TO THE THRONE
By Mrs Jessie Penn-Lewis
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50 v20). Joseph’s words to his brothers reveal his faith and knowledge of God, who was with him in the days of distress, from the prison to the throne. They clearly show that for the child of God there are no second causes, they meant evil but God meant good.
God keeps no sharp instruments, so He has to employ others for needed pruning work. “In that day the Lord will use a razor hired” (Isaiah 7 v20), and the King of Assyria was God’s “razor” to carry out His purposes upon His people. Many examples are in Scripture of the Lord making use of rough people for carrying out His purposes.
Satan was permitted to use resources against Job, but they only served to bring Job into a clearer vision of God, and to greater prosperity, for after his troubles God gave him twice as much as before. It was also so with Joseph. When he was young, God showed him a vision of His plan for him, and in his innocence, he told his brothers. He did not know that their jealousy would be the instrument for the fulfilment of his dreams. Envy filled their hearts, and they “plotted to kill him” saying “we’ll see what comes of his dreams” (Genesis 37 v18, 20). But what they saw was that God’s plans are fulfilled in the fulness of time, and they come about through strange ways and often bitter tears.
A life seated with Him in the heavenly realms is the portion of every believer by faith in Christ. By grace, many have seen themselves crucified with Christ, and admitted to the liberty and victory of life in the heavenly sphere. But it cannot be questioned that with this blessed life in the Spirit, united to the Risen Reigning Lord, there is a fellowship of the Cross. “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death” (Philippians 3 v10).
There are three stages of victory, the legal, experienced and sacrificial, totally dependent on our identification with the Lord as the great Overcomer. Here we have union with the reigning Lord in His victory, far above all principality and power. This is the result of knowing that we are in the crucified One on the Cross, identified with Him in death, and really united with Him in His life and victory.
It is when we see this union in death and life with the Lord and know our position in Him in the heavenly realms, that we are led by the Spirit into the sacrificial life of victory, following the Lamb even to death. When the enemy threatens not only our reputation, comfort or health, but our life itself, and you can boldly say, “I love not my life even unto death,” you have come to the position where the final secret of overcoming power is gained. You have now come to where you fill up in your flesh “what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions” (Colossians 1 v24).
Understanding our legal position of death and union with the ascended Lord is followed by God, firstly, compelling the believer in their circumstances to live the life of crucifixion with Christ, in the power of union with Him, and secondly, leading the surrendered soul into an overcoming and sacrificial life. In short, what we believe by faith in life, must become fact.
In accordance with this “way of God” it is not surprising to find that many, who have been enabled to see their union with Christ have been led into a path something like Joseph. A sacrificial life through sorrow to reach the “throne,” and to become God’s tool for the deliverance of many. In Egypt, Joseph lived a hidden life of suffering, where “iron” had entered his soul, and the “word of the Lord refined him,” and tried his faith.
The Lord is leading His Church into the third stage of the overcoming life. The “martyr” life, the conformity to the Lamb in His selfless sacrifice to others. With this light, we can say to all things now, “God intended it for good.” For the fulfilment of God’s purposes Joseph was taken from his home into untold suffering. His father mourned many days, but God, knew that when the fulness of time had come the father would look back upon the suffering and say, “God intended it for good.” So it is with us. We cry in our present distress, but if we could only see what God sees, and know what wondrous blessing God is planning through our path of loss and pain, we would be still and say in faith, “God intended it for good.”
In the strange land, Joseph had to go deeper until he found rest in God. Through it all the hand of God as the first Supreme Cause is seen. His life was spared by the help of one of his brothers, he obtained training for future rulership in Egypt, and his sufferings made him self-reliant and yet selfless, so that he became a dependable instrument for God.
In our short-sighted vision we can forget that God sees the end from the beginning, and in His wisdom, sacrifices are often present for some future blessing.
The path of suffering which Joseph trod made him able to bear the promotion to the throne, not only by training and reliance upon God, but by a quiet spirit unaffected by the loss of all earthly things. No resentment was found in him towards his family who had hated him. When they came, his heart went out to them in love. “It was not you who sent me here, but God,” he said to comfort them, “do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me” (Genesis 45 v5).
We must remember it was not God who was the source of their hatred, but God who permitted what was in them to come out, to carry out His purposes. It is the same with all of God’s children in the pathway of the Cross. It was not God who was the source of the rage of all who cried, “Crucify Him, crucify Him,” as they saw Him brought out by Pilate. But it was God who allowed the forces of darkness to work in them to bring about His predetermined purpose in the death of the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. The prince of darkness had to ask permission to touch Job, and the passions of humanity, like at Calvary, are under his control. Joseph’s family conspired against his life, but his life was spared. He was taken into Egypt, but a place was ready for him in which he was trained, and when he was in his darkest hour, then he was nearest to the Throne.
Life up your heads, children of God. Your “dreams” of the reigning life with Christ will be fulfilled. If we suffer, we shall reign. The Cross is the way to the Throne. Do not look upon the “hired razors” in life, but meekly let the “shaving” be done of everything unworthy of the Throne. Overcome as the Lord overcame. He said, “The Son of Man who is in heaven,” and also, He said, “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners.” If you are passing through the valley, and appear left to the schemes satan, be still. The hour will come when, like Joseph, you shall say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,” and all the schemes will go away in the unveiled plan of the Hand of God. “It was not you, but God.” It is the way to the Throne.
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“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29 v11).
“For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good Man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God” (1 Peter 3 v18)
“Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23 v6)