Reading A. W. Pink's book The Attributes of God on the goodness of God I see how wonderful it is to study God's creation!
"And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good" (Gen. 1:31). Thus, the "goodness" of God is seen, first, in Creation. The more closely the creature is studied, the more the beneficence of its Creator becomes apparent. Take the highest of God’s earthly creatures, man. Abundant reason has he to say with the Psalmist, "I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well" (139:14). Everything about the structure of our bodies attests the goodness of their Maker. How suited the bands to perform their allotted work! How good of the Lord to appoint sleep to refresh the wearied body! How benevolent His provision to give unto the eyes lids and brows for their protection! And so we might continue indefinitely.
I've been teaching Chemistry and some of the amazing things I have studied have caused me to stand in awe of God's goodness more than ever. The amazing order of the elements, the different ways bonding takes place between atoms, the "infinite" nature of more and more minute particles discovered over time, the exciting results of combining certain elements, the stability of others, the power inherent in the smallest units of matter that can only be separated by nuclear reactions - atoms, the ability of the same elements to combine in different combinations to produce vastly different materials, the fun, the excitement, the anticipation of knowing that God has even more to reveal to us of his complexity, his sovereignty, his power, his faithfulness, his mercy, his very nature through his creation is quite wonderful.
Gratitude is the return justly required from the objects of His beneficence; yet is it often withheld from our great Benefactor simply because His goodness is so constant and so abundant. It is lightly esteemed because it is exercised toward us in the common course of events. It is not felt because we daily experience it. "Despisest thou the riches of His goodness?" (Rom. 2:4). His goodness is "despised" when it is not improved as a means to lead men to repentance, but, on the contrary, serves to harden them from the supposition that God entirely overlooks their sin.
I am also quite capable of forgetting God's goodness in the face of daily life situations. That God is good is obvious from the moment I wake up in the morning. I have slept and been refreshed. The bed I have is comfortable and there is a goodness in feeling snug and warm in the bed. Did I deserve any of this comfort? Certainly not! Not only have I forgotten the goodness of this one simple pleasure, I am angry and frustrated when my sleep is interrupted.
Okay, I am awake and ready to start my day. Do I get up and immediately thank God that he sent his son to die for me? Do I even thank him that I have another day to enjoy teaching my sons? Have I thought of how special it was that he provided me with a wonderful husband? Am I aware of God's creation and the beauty of a new day? Am I eager to ask for his guidance and wisdom for the day? Do I desire the special time I can have with him? Am I grateful that God listens to my every prayer? Am I aware of Jesus intervening for me? Do I just have to take one look outside so I can rejoice in him before the rocks cry out instead?Are his words to me sweeter than honey?
Now I go to wake up my sons. Am I eager to show them the greatness of God or am I more concerned that they get their work done without bugging me too much? Am I eager to teach these treasured possessions of God to be amazed by his greatness? When they have questions do I answer them with patience knowing the patience my heavenly Father has with me? When they must be disciplined, do I first deal with my own heart and remind myself of the mercy God has shown me?
What is most important to me as we study? Good grades or knowing God? Do I remind them that every pleasure in this life is a gift from God that we don't deserve? Do I point out the beauty of a bird's song? Do I marvel at the complexity of a leaf? Do I stand amazed at God's gift of grace towards me through his Son, Jesus? Do I remind them how amazingly ordered God's universe is? Do I point to math and help them see its beauty lies in exactness? Do I help my sons see that math actually helps us see more complex things in an easier to understand way? Do I encourage them to write about God's wonders? When they read of the past do I ask them to look for the stamp of God on each event in history?
Do I encourage my kids to do good works because God created those opportunities for us? Do I point to the goal we have to keep our minds focused on him and ready to help others just as he sent his Son for us, his Son who willingly laid down his life for us?
Do I go to him in repentance with a thankful heart, a humble heart, a broken heart, a soft moldable heart?
He is GOOD! Let my heart cry out for him; make my will submissive to the Holy Spirit; open my eyes to his Goodness; teach me to follow his ways and rely on his Faithfulness; keep me humbly aware of his Attributes and my need for him.
