Recognizing & Appreciating God’s Goodness
Sometimes we don’t recognize the Lord’s goodness toward us (Mt 5:45). There are other times when we don’t appreciate His goodness (1 Cor 2:14, CEV). The same lack of appreciation would apply to immature Christians who are often thinking and acting like those who don’t have the Spirit (See 1 Cor 3:1). The Spirit of God is the Spirit who leads us into the truth (Jn 16:13) – which would include our need to appreciate God’s goodness and give Him thanks for His many blessings (1 Thess 5:18). It is also possible for us to so overemphasize God’s blessing to others that we resent His generosity and goodness toward us (Mt 20:15, CW).
What are some proper responses to His goodness? For a start, praise is appropriate (Ps 107:1). It should also motivate us to seek Him even more diligently so we can experience more of His goodness (Ps 34:8, TEV). And it should prompt us to take even our small concerns to Him (2 Ki 6:6, CB note). Why? Well, the fact that the Lord is so good should tell us that we can trust Him. He is reliable, faithful, honest. All His gifts and interventions are good (Jas 1:17, TNT) because, in His very essence, God is good (Ps 25:7, Harrison). He will help us in ways that He knows are best.
Do we want to experience more of His goodness? Then we must honor Him (Mal 4:2, NCV). We need to trust and obey Him (Lam 3:25, CEV). We have to seek and crave Him (Lam 3:25, KJV and AAT). It is when we wholeheartedly search for Him, requiring His nearness as a vital necessity for our well-being, that He reveals Himself and His goodness more fully (Jer 29:13, AB-1st ed).
Loving trust is more important than mere head knowledge.