1.0 INTRODUCTION
The testimonies of the Scriptures and indeed those of the entire human race center on this point that God is good and His mercy endures forever. It is not just about what God does but entirely about who He is. Also, the life of our Lord Jesus Christ as exemplified in the Bible is the best example of goodness as emboldened in God. He came to this world and died on the cross for our sins in order to give us eternal life.
It is even very difficult to die for a righteous man, but God commended His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Romans 5:8. Goodness has been defined as the quality or state of being good. That may be the reason God has been referred to as good-God is Good, Goodness can now be seen as the demonstration of this quality of being good. Our God is a Good God.
(a) Consider the following passages of the scriptures to the demonstration of God as Good.
(1) Psalm119:68
(2) Mark 10:18
(3) Psalm 145:8-9,13-14
(b) Mention at least four goodness of God in Psalm 45
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(c) Mention four categories of people mentioned in Psalm 107 and tell us how God showed His goodness to them in their situations.
2.0 GOD’S MEANS OF GOODNESS
The followings are the means through which God does make His goodness available to us:
(a) Natural blessings of general goodness Psalm 145:13-14,7-9, 15-17 Matthew 5:45.
(b) His love John 3:16, Roman 5:8
(c) Giving us grace-the unmerited favour. It could be spiritual (Salvation etc) or materials.
(d) His kind intervention Psalm 107
(e) Reverting our situations or circumstances like Ruth and Job (42:12-14)
(f) Choosing one’s generation or children in a lineage for great glory.
3.0 OUR RESPONSES TO GOD’S GOODNESS
1. We should never ignore or be ungrateful or take it for granted Roman 2:4. Rather, we must be grateful for them more also that most of the times we do not deserve such goodness.
2. Hoping and trusting for His goodness during the period of difficulties or adversities. Psalm 31:19-20
3. Take personal act of faith or expectation towards His Goodness in your life Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 84:11
4. Do not murmur but always sing of the goodness of God in your life Psalm 136.
5. Do good to others-What are the benefits of doing Good as a person?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
4.0 THE GOODNESS OF GOD TO RUTH
Ruth was a widow who suffered the death of her husband at an early stage of her marriage when she was yet to have a child, house or work of her own. Ruth 2: 5 she became God’s focus of attention.
(a) On return from exile, Naomi brought Ruth to the land of Israel, due to her determination. God’s emphasis started shifting from Naomi to Ruth. With the purpose of the heart cleave unto God. One of the greatest goodness of God, is God focusing His attention on a particular person.
(b) There was the appearance of Boaz. Boaz name has never been mentioned in the Bible, but for God’s goodness based on his marriage to Ruth, Boaz name was mentioned even five times. One of the greatest experiences of life is when God shows His goodness at the time of needs.
(i) What would have happened to these widows if God had not raised helpers for them at critical points of their lives?
(a) The widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-15).
(b) The widow of a man of God (2 Kings 4:1-7)
(c) The widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-16)
(ii) What is this showing to us, whenever we are in critical positions as individuals or widows?
(iii) Has God ever shown such goodness to you?
(iv) Today, who can we regard as our Kinsmen Redeemer?
(v) Given the example of Ruth a gentile and her Kinsmen Redeemer-an Israelite how can you relate the circumstance to our salvation experience?
(vi) Ruth may not have known Boaz, if not for the death of her husband (Ruth 1:1-5) So the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ’s death brought us to the knowledge of God. And our experiences have brought us together under the JoyBearers programmes.
(b) Becoming the wife of Boaz. This was a great goodness of God as Ruth, a gentile, ordinarily was not qualified to be the wife of an Israelite not to talk of an important person like Boaz. But God showed His goodness to Ruth by suspending all those laws or protocols which were against her. It is our prayer that situations will be changed for you to enjoy the goodness of the Lord. Ruth 2:8-12-The disposition of Boaz to Ruth. Vs 8 -14
-Go not to another man’s field.
-Accommodation was provided for her -Abide here with my menders.
– He shown her, his field or farm.
Vs 14-18 God provided protection for her I pray the Lord will deal with anybody who wants to touch you in your family.
– There was the provision of food and drink-The good Lord will solve the problem of your provisions. He will use men for you in Jesus Name. She became the source of provision for Naomi and may be others in the family.
– She became the wife of Boaz. This was a great honour and goodness when we consider the status of Boaz as a great farmer with many servants working for him. The Lord will also lift you up.
– She had a great testimony (Ruth 2:10-11) and joyful end. God reversed her status.
(c) God choosing her great grandson (JESUS) to became the Saviour of the world. Matthew 1:1-6,21. God restored the comfort of leadership lost by Judah back to them through Ruth. Everything good that has been lost in your generation the Lord will restore back to you through his goodness in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
CONCLUSION
So be cheerful our God is good and His goodness shall find all of us in Jesus Name Amen.