You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 119:68
Having a proper perspective of the character of God is essential if we are going to live in appropriate submission to Him. Many people look at this sin-cursed world and derive their concept of God based on their personal circumstances. When they believe that God is blessing them with the good things they desire, they see God as good. When life takes a difficult turn and they face the darker circumstances of life, they see God as unfair and unloving.
When we try to define the character of God through our sinful eyes we cannot possibly come to an accurate conclusion. The only way we can have an appropriate understanding of the character of God is through His revealed word.
The psalmist is very clear in his understanding that God is always good and he always does good. This is beyond the comprehension of sinful man. After all, we are described in God’s word as those who are not righteous and do not do good (Romans 3:10-12). It is only because of the work of Christ that our hearts can be changed!
When we are settled in our hearts and minds concerning the goodness of God, the circumstances of life no longer control us. When we understand the goodness of God in light of the sovereignty of God, we can be certain that God will always fulfill His good purposes. We don’t have to understand all that He is accomplishing through the circumstances of life. We just need to know Him and what He is like. That is more than sufficient!
The psalmist’s response to God’s goodness is a desire to learn from Him. It makes perfect sense that if we believe God is always good and always does good, we need to learn everything we can from Him. How great is it that we can be instructed by the One who is perfect in every respect? Everything He teaches us is absolutely true and thoroughly good.
O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
Psalm 34:8
