“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
The Lord is good.
“You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.” Psalms 119:68 NKJV
There are only two forces in the world – good and evil. These are complete opposites. There are attitudes and actions that fit in the “good” category and opposite
attitudes and actions that fit in the “evil” category. We are talking here about what it means to be good. God is good and everything He does is good. No one could ever accuse Him of not being good. God is constant and He is
consistent – He is never unpredictable or schizophrenic.
The qualities of “good” include justice and righteousness.
God is good to those who trust Him, follow Him and obey Him.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3:25 NKJV
Those who sincerely seek God are the ones who will
experience His goodness.
“Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches
sinners in the way. 9 The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.” Psalms 25:8-10 NKJV
God is good because He is upright and true. He leads us into righteousness and teaches us His way if we look to Him. Humble people are teachable and open to the guidance and instruction of the Lord. When we follow Him and walk in His way, then we will experience His mercy.
The Lord is good – He protects and provides for His own.
“God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; The Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His
adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies; 3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet. 4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts. 5 The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. 6 Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him. 7 The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. 8 But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies.” Nahum 1:2-8 NKJV
The way God’s children and the devil’s children experience God and His power is completely different. God does not choose His enemies. You choose to be God’s friend or His enemy by submitting to Him or rebelling against Him. God is very protective over His faithful children. Those who are mean to them do it at their own peril – they make God their enemy. God reserves His wrath for His enemies! The Lord is slow to anger, but He is very powerful. You want to experience His power at work for you not against you! His enemies always come off second best – defeated and destroyed. However, God is a stronghold – a fortress and protection – for those who are His. He knows them and He will always come through for them.
“Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the Lord, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!” Psalms 31:19-21 NKJV
Those who fear God will be protected in and by God’s
presence. God’s goodness and kindness protect us from the schemes, plots and nasty words of our enemies.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. 10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” Psalms 34:8-10 NKJV
Those who trust the Lord will experience God’s goodness and will not go without any good thing. They will never
lack – even when their peers suffer lack. They will taste God’s goodness toward them.
“Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful
seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
Acts 14:17 NKJV
God shows His goodness by providing rain and abundant food, making us very happy!
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV
When we look to the Lord and choose to always follow Him, He provides everything we could possibly need – peace, restoration, forgiveness and righteousness, freedom from the bondage of fear, deliverance, boldness, comfort, food and drink, favor, and His ever-present presence. Goodness and mercy will follow me ALL the days of my life!