Tag Archives: Good

Singing with the King (70) – What Do You See?

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

FRANCE-RELIGION-ARCHITECTURE-LIGHTSo we’re driving on our way home after spending the afternoon walking around a modern art gallery, and now we’re talking about buildings. And my daughter says to me that buildings that have no windows have something to hide. (We happened to have been driving by a “business establishment” notorious for that sort of thing.) Then I responded that there are some churches in town that don’t have windows. And she says, “Hmm.” Now I know a couple of churches that fit that description, no windows, because they do lots of productions—you know, “Lights , cameras, action!”

But my Church—I love my Church—we have these huge windows in the front of the Church which look out onto some beautiful mountains. Many visiting pastors have expressed their concerns, that the congregation may be looking at the scenery rather than listening to the message. Then they say, they better bring their “A” game.

Now I understand that having windows or not having windows is probably not a theological issue. It may have to do with heating or cooling; ministry needs; the neighborhood, and the geography. But let me tell you what open windows can accomplish:

The Church was called The Pentecostal Bride Groom, and during the summers they left their windows wide open, because they had no air conditioning. But what they did have was an awesome choir and amazing worship; and during the warm times, I’d have my apartment windows open, and I would listen to their passionate and joyous worship. I don’t know what the neighborhood felt about this Church, but it had been around for decades, and their worship of Jesus Christ was certainly a blessing to me.

So that’s one thing windows can do—people on the outside may be able to hear what’s Thru a Windowgoing on the inside. The other thing windows do is let in light, reminding us how important light is to us. And one more thing, they keep us from getting absorbed in our little (or big) box, because we can see what’s going on around us: people passing by who need Jesus; or seeing the trees, or the river, or the mountains clap for joy.

Seeing the Lord’s goodness can happen in Church (even one with no windows). It can happen at home, or work, or going traveling from here to there. But be looking for it, because you will find it.

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. (Psalm 103:2)

All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. (Psalm 111:7)

Singing With the King (7) – God is Good

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. (Psalm 73:1)

standing tallDo you have a foundational belief on which you stand? Something you can cling to regardless of what is going on around or within you? The Psalmist did—he made a declaration—and made his stand: Surely God is good to Israel.

The Hebrew word for surely has two uses: one is emphatic, the other is restrictive. So you can put an exclamation point behind the emphatic version: Surely God is good! Or because we understand Who God is and how He works, we use the restrictive version: Only God is good.

Christ Himself, the Son of God spoke to this: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Luke 18:19)

The Hebrew word for good has numerous translations; the most frequent are: better, best, pleasing, and favorable. It describes excellence of quality, excellence of character, and that which is of a higher nature (a vague way of saying God…).

This verse has the only occurrence of God is good in the OT. However, the Lord is good occurs seven times:

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. (Psalm 34:8)

For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. (Psalm 135:3)

The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works. (Psalm 145:9)

Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever. (Jeremiah 33:11)

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. (Lamentations 3:25)

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)

So, how can you experience God’s goodness? In His refuge. In His love. In His faithfulness. In His mercy. In His care. And when you do, you will sing His praises—forever.