Psalm 100:5
For the Lord is good. His mercy endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive us when we use the word “good” so much that we fail to realize what it means. Often, we use it to respond with an affirmation to something we might somewhat like or use it sarcastically.
“I got you a fruit cake.”
“Oh, good!”
We use it when someone asks us how we have been. Especially when we feel like we are tired or things are happening, we are marginally getting by and don’t want to discuss what is happening.
“How was work?”
“It was good.”
However, when “good” is used with your name, there is nothing sarcastic nor marginal about it. Lord, when “good” is used to describe you, it means perfection and the perfect love and mercy you have showered upon us. Because of our sinful natures, you devised a plan of salvation for us. You sent your Son down here to become a man and live perfectly under the law for every time we fail at keeping your commands. Jesus credited us with His righteousness and took our sins into himself, so we have forgiveness of sins. We had no way out of our sins on our own, but Jesus paid the price of our redemption. So we do not receive the punishment we deserve. In exchange, we have forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life delivered to us that we do not warrant; this is your mercy.
Moreover, it is eternal. Jesus died once for the forgiveness of all the world, and that will never end. Along with this, you faithfully keep your promises to us forever. All these gifts are ours through faith; the Holy Spirit started in us.
Lord, be with us to have an honest understanding of what being “good” means—we have forgiveness for all our sins. Please give us the courage to share your goodness with others, so they will know that you are good. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
When someone asks, “how have you been?” Remember, you indeed are good. God has forgiven you for Jesus’ sake; forgiveness, eternal life, and salvation are yours. It gets no better, and believe this—you are good.