The most exalted expression of God’s goodness is through the gift of his son, Jesus Christ. Let God’s goodness lead you to repentance and away from sin.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, here to say that God has in mind, your good.
Isn’t that a comforting thought? All throughout Scripture, we see time and again God’s goodness toward his people. It’s why I love Jeremiah 32. There, God lays down his intentions – in verses 40-41, he says, “I will not turn away from doing good [to my people]. I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good… with all my heart and all my soul.” Wow. Friend, if ever you wondered about God’s dealings with you, just know that they are good dealings. Every day, every minute, he is pouring out his goodness on you, blessing you with friends that delight and encourage you, sunsets, sunrises that leave you breathless, the chatter of morning birds, the fragrance of flowers, the taste of an exquisite meal, the joy of knowing that you have a home in heaven, a Savior who loves you, and more than enough grace to trust him through your trials. God rejoices in doing us good with all his heart and with all his soul. But just why does he do this?
Well, so that you might not turn away from him. That’s what Jeremiah says. It’s like this: I grew up with a father who was very good to me. He was a kind man who was respected among our family and friends. Daddy was generous and he made me feel loved. Because my dad was held in such high esteem, I was a bit in awe of him. I really, really respected him. And so, when I was at school or playing with kids in the neighborhood, I did not want to do anything that would cast a shadow on my dad’s good name. I didn’t want to bring shame to the Eareckson name. And God wants us to look at him like that. Again, Jeremiah 32: God says, “I will not turn away from doing good to my people. I will put the fear of me in their hearts” – get this – so “that they may not turn away from me.” The God of the Bible is to be held in high esteem; he is so good and great, it should evoke a strong sense of awe in our hearts. And such a God pouring out his goodness on us sinners, why in the world would we ever want to turn from him?
The whole idea is repeated in Romans 2:4 where it says that the kindness of God is intended to lead us to repentance. All of God’s many kindnesses toward us, all his goodness has a purpose: it is intended to make us run away from sin. Just like I steered away from saying or doing things that would hurt Daddy’s good name, when we see how good God is to us – our salvation, our health, our citizenship in heaven, our glorious mission here on earth, and all the pleasures we enjoy – that kindness is meant to lead us to repentance.
And the highest, most exalted expression of God’s goodness is, of course, through the gift of his son, Jesus Christ. There’s no one like Jesus, no one who is as good as he is, no one who loves us more. There’s no one who is more for us than Jesus. Nothing can separate us from his love – neither death nor life and no amount of sin, suffering, or hardship. You have no better advocate, no better intercessor than Jesus. He is a friend like none other. Truly, when God gave us Jesus, he was “doing good to us” with all his heart and soul. So, take a moment today and consider the many kindnesses with which God has blessed you. Let his goodness about Jesus lead you to repentance. May the kindness of Christ help you to turn away from sin because Jesus is worth it and your heavenly father is a very good daddy.
© Joni and Friends