Expect God’s Goodness, Part 2... Thursday

This is the second offering in a 2 Part series on the Goodness of God. Here is the URL for Part 1 if you wish to read it or review it,

http://paintgodintoyourday.blogspot.com/2014/09/expect-gods-goodness-part-1-thursday.html

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In Psalm 138:2, David wrote,

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise they name
for thy loving kindness and for they truth;

 for thou has magnified thy word above all they name.” 

The Greek word for loving kindness is checed, which means “goodness, kindness and faithfulness”. David had a revelation of God’s character and nature that caused him to have confidence in God’s convenant promises.

What I find interesting is that I couldn’t find the use of the word checed in the New Testament, but there are scriptures that refer to God’s kindness in the New Testament. Here are several examples.

Ephesians 2:5-7

 Even when we were dead in sins, 

hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together 

in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: 

That in the ages to come he might shew 

the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness 

toward us through Christ Jesus.

Titus 3:4-7

  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour 

toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness 

which we have done, but according to his mercy 

he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, 

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ 

our Saviour;  That being justified by his grace, 

we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Romans 2:2-4

 But we are sure that the judgment of God 

is according to truth against them which commit such things.

 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them 

which do such things, and doest the same, 

that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 

 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness

 and forbearance and long suffering; not knowing that 

the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

The words kindness and goodness used in Ephesians 2:7, Titus 3:4 and Romans 2:4 is the Greek word chrestotes. In Vines Dictionary (Strong #5544) it is defined as not merely goodness in quality but rather it is goodness in action, goodness expressed in deeds; yet not expressing itself in indignation against sin, for its contrasted with severity in Romans 11:22, but in grace and tenderness and compassion.

What this says to me is that God, in his goodness, is looking for opportunities to express his grace, kindness, tenderness and compassion towards us in action and deed. We don’t have to beg and plead, or get a thousand people bombarding heaven to get God to move. He wants to. 

David knew God’s convenant promises and expected him to be faithful. We have a better convenant. What challenges are you facing in your life today? 

2 Corinthians 1:20 says, 

“For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, 

and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

Find God’s New Covenant promise for that situation you are facing, sow it into your heart and as David worshiped God in His loving kindness, worship Him in His gentleness because He loves you and wants to demonstrate His goodness in your life today. Expect it to come to pass.

Written by
Aaron T. Hyde

Shared by

Kathryn Hansen