written by Daniel Piper
One of the greatest lies from the enemy is that God is generally good. But He is not all that good towards you – personally.
“I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will rejoice and be jubilant in You; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” – Psalms 9:1-2 NASB 2020
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4 ESV
I dare to say that if you’re not in a mental state of praising, rejoicing, and thanksgiving on a daily basis than the enemy absolutely has some hold on you (or hook in you).
One of the greatest lies from the enemy is that God is generally good. But He is not all that good towards you – personally. When that is the furthest from the truth. The Lord God is a good, good Father.
If there is any belief inside of your mind that God is not individually benevolent towards you, than you have a distorted view of God that needs attention and healing. This is what God says about you – personally.
“For I know the plans that I have for you, plans for prosperity (or peace) and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. And you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart… How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand.” (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalms 139:17-18)
God cares way more about you than you will ever care about Him.
Do you truly believe that the Lord God thinks of you infinitely more than you ever think of Him? Have you come to terms that God knows you better than you know yourself? Can you comprehend the thoughts that God has for you? Read this from Psalms:
“You scrutinize my path and my lying down. And are acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, Lord, You know it all. You have encircled me behind and in front. And placed Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot comprehend.” – Psalms 139:3-6
God knows you so deeply and intimately beyond your comprehension that even before you and I say a word off our tongue – He already knows what we’re going to say! That is the deepest level of oneness or intimacy that anyone can feel or comprehend. Do we really take the time to appreciate how much God searches every thought, fear, desire, emotion, pain and heartache inside of our hearts and minds? Nothing inside of our being can escape the knowledge of our Heavenly Father. The human mind cannot fully understand how the God of the universe can be so grand and yet so detailed and intimate into every nook and cranny of our inward mind and heart. The Creator sees into all of His creation. (Colossians 1:16-17)
So how does this all relate to God being good toward you and finding favor in His sight? Because the Words of God show the level of intention and attention that the Holy Trinity gives to you – personally. God cares way more about you than you will ever care about Him. This alone is praiseworthy enough to send you and I into jubilee and thanksgiving – every day.
Seeing the goodness of God starts with you and I putting Him into the rightful place of our everyday life.
The fact that God is passionately watching over every miniscule detail to where He knows what you’re going to request even before you and I say a word shows a level of care, attention and thoughtfulness that the human mind cannot fully grasp. He knows what we’re going to speak even before our lips move. This level of intimacy and understanding of your issues and concerns is too high for you and I to comprehend. But it shows the wonders and depths at which God desires to take care of you. Read these words from God:
“For you alone Lord have me dwell in safety… Rejoice all who take refuge in You, sing for joy forever! And may You shelter them. That those who love Your name may rejoice in You. For You bless the righteous person, LORD. You surround him with favor as with a shield.” – Psalms 4:8, 5:11-12 NASB 2020
These words from God point out an extremely important truth that we must understand. Relationship with God is a two-way street. The only way you and I understand and see the goodness of God is to be in a righteous standing before Him. You must trust the Lord Jesus. Believe in Him. Obey Him. Follow Him. You must seek Him with your whole heart. Read this:
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6 ESV
Seeing His goodness individually for you, starts with seeing God first – in all that you do.
Seeing the goodness of God starts with you and I putting Him into the rightful place of our everyday life. If you personally struggle to see the goodness of God, start with placing Him at the very top of the priority list in your daily walk. Seeing His goodness individually for you, starts with seeing God first – in all that you do.
“I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” – Psalms 34:1 ESV
When you go to the grocery store. When you’re driving to work. When you’re washing dishes. When you are changing diapers. When you are a taxi driver for your kids. Seeing the goodness of God starts with placing Him in the front of your mind in all that you do.
It’s a two-way street. It’s a relationship. Only those in an intimate relationship with Christ will see the goodness of the Lord.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God… for the Lord is righteous; He loves righteousness. The upright will see His face… Taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him” – Matthew 5:8, Psalms 11:7, Psalms 34:8
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good, to those who love God and who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
Here’s the truth: If you don’t put Jesus Christ first in all that you do. The enemy will find a way to slither inside your life and block (or deceive) you from seeing God’s personal goodness towards you.
All scripture copied from ESV or NASB 2020