God is better than you think
At the start of the year, many of us make resolutions—whether it’s to quit sugar or start going to the gym. I’ve made my own resolutions, and I’ll admit, I haven’t always succeeded.
January 26, 2025
1 Chronicles 16:34 ( NKJV) – “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
How often do we read the Word and pause to truly act on what it says? Here, it says, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord.”
At the start of the year, many of us make resolutions—whether it’s to quit sugar or start going to the gym. I’ve made my own resolutions, and I’ll admit, I haven’t always succeeded. But there’s one commitment I’ve stuck to: spending time in God’s Word daily. It’s not that I’ve perfected this habit; I’ve failed many times. Yet, it’s His mercy that gives me the strength to start again.
1 Chronicles 16:34 reminds us that our help comes from God’s goodness and mercy—not from criticism or judgment. Notice the verse doesn’t say, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord because He does good,” but rather, “for He is good.” Because God is good, goodness flows naturally from Him. Nothing bad can ever originate from Him.
We’re often quick to blame God for disasters, wars, or tragedies. But consider Genesis 1, where after creating each part of the world, God declared it “good.” Like an artist admiring their masterpiece, God was satisfied with His creation. Why would a good God cause harm? He doesn’t participate in anything that isn’t good.
This brings us to John 10:10, where Jesus says,
John 10:10 – “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Anything that steals, kills, or destroys is not from God. Even when people hurt us, it’s often because they’ve yielded to the enemy. God grants us free will and doesn’t control us like puppets. While we may wonder why God doesn’t intervene, He respects our choices.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.
Ephesians 6:12 – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Even Peter, who walked closely with Jesus, yielded to both God and the enemy.
In Matthew 16, Peter recognizes Jesus as the Son of God, to which Jesus responds, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” Yet, moments later, Peter rebukes Jesus’ prophecy of His crucifixion, and Jesus says, “Get behind Me, Satan!” It’s possible to yield to both God and the devil, but with the Word, we can discern the source of our thoughts.
In Psalm 118:1, we read:
Psalm 118:1 – “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
His enduring mercy makes him so good. Mercy doesn’t excuse wrongdoing but creates room for repentance and transformation. In John 8, when a woman caught in adultery is brought to Jesus, the Pharisees seek to trap Him.
Jesus responds with silence, writing in the dirt. We don’t know what He wrote, but this moment of silence allowed Him to listen to the Holy Spirit.
Eventually, Jesus says, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” One by one, the accusers leave. Jesus then asks the woman, “Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” She replies, “No one, Lord.” Jesus responds, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” His mercy isn’t permissive—it’s transformative. His correction is an act of love, guiding us to avoid falling into sin again.
As Hebrews 12:6 says,
Hebrews 12:6 – “For whom the Lord loves He chastens.”
Like a shepherd using a rod to correct and a staff to guide, God disciplines us to protect and strengthen us. In Psalm 23:4, David declares,
Psalm 23:4 – “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Correction isn’t condemnation—it’s God leading us toward His goodness and away from harm. If you’ve chosen God, be ready to embrace His correction throughout your life. It’s a sign of His goodness and His desire to see you grow into the image of Christ. Remember, if it’s not good, it’s not from God. Trust in His mercy and goodness, and let Him guide you on the path of righteousness.
When we observe shepherds or those who care for cattle, we often notice the staff they carry. This staff is not meant to harm the animals but rather to comfort them. I like to imagine that when the staff touches the ground, it makes a sound that the sheep find reassuring. The sheep likely prefer the sound of the staff over the rod, yet even when the rod stings, it is an act of mercy. The Lord corrects us for our own good, just as a parent corrects a child with love.
In the same way, a hungry person will find that even bitter food is satisfying. The Lord will correct us, and if we are open to His corrections, we make room to receive His word more readily.
If you’re waiting for a breakthrough or miracle, ask yourself: What is hindering me from receiving? Sometimes, it’s other people who cause us to stumble. Yet, we often find ourselves blaming God for our struggles, when in reality, it is our own misplaced perceptions or actions that lead us astray. God does not correct us through theft, destruction, or death. Instead, He corrects us through His word. John 10:10 reminds us that Jesus came to give us life—abundant life, not through hardship, but through His goodness.
John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
It’s easy for a small, negative thought to distort our view of God. A mere hint of doubt can cloud our understanding of His goodness. But when we hunger for God, even if He points out something unpleasant, we can still see it as good.
Psalm 107:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
This is not just an act of praising God in our good times, but also in our struggles. When we praise Him in difficulty, we place goodness and mercy above our circumstances. Your victory begins with giving thanks to God—for He is good, His mercy endures forever.
Last year, I received news that was devastating, one of the lowest points in my life. The pain was real. But as I sat in the car, crying, a whisper in my mind reminded me, “He is still good.” Despite the loud accusations and questions, His whisper of truth was louder than the noise of my grief. By the time we reached home, the weight of the bad news became less significant compared to His goodness. He reminded me of the many blessings we had received and of His mercies, which never fail.
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed; for His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
We need God’s mercy every day because each day brings new challenges. His mercies are new every morning to meet us in whatever we face. In the same way, when we are in a difficult place, it is His mercy that sustains us.
In Matthew 9:27-30, two blind men cried out to Jesus, asking for mercy, not just healing. They understood that healing flows through mercy, and Jesus responded to their faith. This shows us that it is God’s mercy that leads to healing, and His mercy is available to us at all times.
Even in our grief or despair, we must remember to give thanks to God, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever. When we taste and see His goodness, as Psalm 34:8 declares,
Psalm 34:8 – “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him,”
We become partakers of His goodness. Just like tasting food, when we partake of His goodness, we also partake in the fullness of His promises.
In the same way,
Psalm 23:6 – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
This promise is a reminder that His goodness and mercy are with us, no matter where we are. Psalm 23 beautifully sings of God’s goodness and mercy, particularly in verse 4, where it says,
Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
God’s goodness and mercy can bring peace even in the darkest times.
Psalm 23:5 – You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5 reminds us that He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies, a metaphor of feasting in the face of opposition. This isn’t easy, but when we taste of His goodness, we find the strength to feast in the presence of challenges. It is goodness and mercy that allow us to rise above difficulties.
So, no matter what comes your way, remember His mercy and goodness. When the enemy rises against you, make a mockery of it, for His mercy endures forever.
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