“The LORD is good”
The message: The saying, “The LORD is good,” expresses the fullness of His divine goodness, because He is “God of all goodness.” This is also His purpose for us humans from the beginning. And it still is, so that, sinners as we are, we may become perfect by the work of redemption through the blood of Christ, and may be renewed into the “new creation” in Him (2 Kor.5:17a), « so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work » 2 Tim 3:17. So the saying, “the LORD is good,” also means, “He is kind and patient toward us,” for « where sin increased, grace abounded all the more » Rom 5:20b – that is the goodness of His mercy, by which He removed sin in order to make us live. The psalmist perceived this when he sang: « Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever » Ps 73:25-26. Accordingly: 1/ “Know the goodness of God”―that is, His love, justice, holiness, wisdom, and majesty. This could be done through the knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ and the relationship with Him, « For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority » Col 2:9-10. 2/ “Receive His goodness” that brings redemption. Thus, we will be prompted to sing like the psalmist: « Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits— who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases » Ps 103:1-3. 3/ “Clothe yourselves with His goodness” so that we may become perfect, namely dear children who will inherit God’s goodness (Mat 5:48) in Christ, in whom all the fullness of God dwells. Therefore, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires » Rom 13:14. For then, the angels will say, « on earth peace among those whom he favors! » Lk 2:14b.
Monday 02nd: The Lord is good.
« O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him » Ps 34:8.
Reading 1: 1 Pet 2:1-5. Reading 2: Ps 34:8-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Ps 34:8.
Introduction: “The Lord’s goodness” displays the fullness of His divine essence. The psalmist praised Him thus: « O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures » Ps 104:24. But His love is that which best reveals his goodness, as “God is love” 1 Jn 4:16b. Knowing Him is good and beneficial, so Jesus said, « Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled » Mt 5:6b. Jesus also said, « I am the way, and the truth, and the life » Jn 14:6a.
Tuesday 03rd: Learn how good the kindess of God is.
« Note then the kindness and the severity of God » Rom 11:22a.
Reading 1: Mt 8:1-11. Reading 2: Rom 11:13-24. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rom 11:22.
Introduction: God’s goodness lies in that He does not forsake His people. Jesus Christ says, « I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep » Jn 10:11. As He sees his people suffering, He says: « Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls » Mt 11:29.
Wednesday 04th: The LORD is good, but He is not to be tempted.
« But no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah » Mt 16:4b.
Reading 1: Num 14:11-24. Reading 2: Mt 16:1-4. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 16:4.
Introduction: God is to be feared and revered, so He is not to be tempted. In this respect, His commandment states: « Do not put the Lord your God to the test » Deut 6:16a. As He is Holy, He cannot be mocked, and He will not spare those who show contempt for His Name (Ex 20:5d). The LORD says, « If then I am a father, where is the honor due me? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? » Mal 1:6b,c; hence, « Do not give what is holy to dogs » Mt 7:6 a, but « in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord » 1 Pet 3:15a.
Thrusday 05th: God’s goodness cares for His people.
« My sheep hear my voice…I give them eternal life » Jn 10:27a-28a.
Reading 1: Rom 4:13-22. Reading 2: Jn 10:22-30. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 10:27-28.
Introduction: A communion of life with those who are His: this is the ground on which is based God’s caring love for them. The psalmist made a song about this, which says:“we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” Ps 100:3d. Besides, he gave a testimony about His goodness, saying: « Then we your people, the flock of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever » Ps 79:13a. Therefore, they will rise and sing: « You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ’My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust’ » Ps 91:1-2.
Friday 06th: Goodness belongs to God.
» Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good » Mt 19:17a,b
Reading 1: 2 Sam 7:18-24. Reading 2: Mt 19:16-22. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 19:16-17
Introduction: Jesus said this word of great humility in order to give glory to the Father. The Father is certainly the source of all grace (Jas 1:17); on the other side, the Son makes common cause with Him, and He says, « The Father and I are one » Jn 10:30. The works He does reveal the Father who is in Him (Jn 1:18b), His greatness and perfection. David once said, as he remembered God’s call to him and his descendants: « Therefore you are great, O Lord God; for there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears » 2 Sam 7:22.
Saturday 07th: God’s work is good.
« He has done everything well » Mar 7:37a.
Reading 1: Ps 104:24-38. Reading 2: Mar 7:31-37. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mar 7:37.
Introduction: God’s work is not limited to having created all things, which He found very good (Gen 1:31), it also involves taking care of His people so that they may become perfect, just as their heavenly Father is perfect (Mat 5:48). To this end, Jesus prayed for His disciples, « Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth » Jn 17:17. He is so jealous over those who belong to Him that He said, « Will you question me about my children? » Isa 45:11c.
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