Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble
Psalm 107: 1-2 ESV.
God is good!
At the heart of our Christian proclamation is the truth of the goodness of God. With so many things of this world that are NOT so good we glean the only true comfort and hope from the goodness of God.
As we search the scriptures, we discover that this proclamation of the goodness of God appears to be the ultimate thesis. From the very beginning of creation we see that what God creates is consistently called GOOD. From the beauty of the sky, the land, the sea, light and all the creatures, to God creating humankind in God’s own image, it is all good.
The love that God has for creation reveals the ultimate goodness of God. God’s call for all people to trust in Him and follow His ways is because God is so good!
Even in the midst of our fallen humanity, as people would wander from obedience into the paths of darkness, God remains good, offering forgiveness, restoration and new life to the world, all through the work of Jesus Christ who has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
Because of our fallen nature, God sends his only Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for the sins of the world revealing how much God truly loves this world. Being born in a broken and fallen humanity we all find ourselves dwelling in darkness of spiritual blindness, being tossed to and fro by the ways of the world in which we live. Yet in spite of our fallen nature, God consistently provides His presence through the power of His Holy Spirit and profound promises made to us through the work of Christ on our behalf.
In the water of our baptism, God’s goodness is revealed as the covenant is sealed and a blessed and holy assurance is ours through the promise of the presence of the Holy Spirit and binding us fully to Christ: His life, death and resurrection. All this comes to us as a gift. Why? Because God is so good!
As we, God’s church and the body of Christ in the world, gather together around His Word we recall this proclamation in the realized promises of Christ’s presence among us always and in the forgiveness of sins won for us through Christ. Our gathering is made complete as we come to God’s altar and receive the very true presence of Christ’s body and blood in the celebration of Holy Communion. As we share in the heavenly foretaste which is to come, it is through faith alone, that we receive forgiveness, life and salvation. All of this is ours, solely and purely, because of the GOODNESS of God by grace through faith!
In spite of our brokenness, God gives us the fullness of His Kingdom. What more can we say then GOD IS GOOD?
Say so!
Having received all the goodness of God, it is the Holy Spirit that then empowers us to bear witness to the true and good light that has shined in the darkness of our world and illumined our hearts.
This is our call as Christians, to receive the goodness of God and SAY SO! To share the light of Christ as we witness to what God has done in our own lives. We reflect the love that has been given to us and the world by shining God’s love to others.
In what way can we respond to God’s pure love? We can SAY SO! This is accomplished sometimes with words of encouragement and love for others. Other times, through the good deeds that are the fruit that is born of the spirit of God’s goodness. We SAY SO in both word and deed as we love the world that God so loves.
This is our journey of faith, to discover ways in which God calls and empowers each and every one of us to share the hope we have found in Christ through our varied circumstances. What joy we have leaning on the promises of Christ’s redemption as our eyes are opened to see, even in the darkness of suffering and in the bright moments of glory, that Christ shines light among us and through us. For in the water of our baptism we are charged to “let our lights so shine before others, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.”
As beloved, holy and redeemed children of God, there is no better way for the glory of God to be revealed than to proclaim: GOD IS GOOD, SAY SO!
May God of all goodness continue to richly bless you and empower you to proclaim His goodness to all the world. Amen!
Pastor Justin Vetrano
Nassau Zone
THE LIFE Lutheran Church, Old Westbury