Experiencing the Unchanging Goodness of God

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth of God's goodness, a theme that resonates deeply with our lives and experiences. Drawing from Psalm 34, we delved into the nature of God's goodness, which is not merely a reflection of our circumstances but a fundamental attribute of His character. This understanding challenges us to redefine how we perceive and testify about God's goodness in our lives.

We often equate God's goodness with favorable circumstances—promotions, recoveries, and successes. However, the essence of God's goodness transcends these temporal experiences. It is rooted in His unchanging nature, which remains constant regardless of our life's ups and downs. This is a crucial distinction because it allows us to experience God's goodness even in the midst of trials and tribulations.

David's life, particularly during the writing of Psalm 34, serves as a powerful illustration. Despite being on the run and facing dire circumstances, David could still proclaim God's goodness. His experience teaches us that God's goodness provides security and stability, not because of our circumstances, but because of who God is. David invites us to "taste and see" that the Lord is good, encouraging us to experience this goodness firsthand by walking closely with God.

Moreover, experiencing God's goodness involves aligning our lives with His ways. It requires us to live righteously, turning away from evil and seeking peace. This alignment opens us to the fullness of God's favor and protection, as His eyes are turned toward the righteous. The invitation is not just to know about God's goodness but to live in a way that reflects and experiences it daily.

Ultimately, the greatest revelation of God's goodness is found in Jesus Christ. He embodies the goodness of God, offering us a relationship that transcends our circumstances. As we look to Jesus, we find the perfect image of God's nature and the assurance of His goodness in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Goodness is Constant: God's goodness is an intrinsic part of His character, not dependent on our circumstances. Even in challenging times, we can trust in His unchanging nature and experience His goodness. [05:03]

2. Experiencing God's Goodness: David's life shows us that God's goodness provides security and stability, regardless of our life's challenges. By trusting in God, we find a peace that surpasses understanding. [15:55]

3. Aligning with God's Ways: To fully experience God's goodness, we must align our lives with His ways, living righteously and seeking peace. This alignment invites God's favor and protection into our lives. [21:26]

4. The Role of Jesus: Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's goodness. By looking to Him, we see the perfect image of God's nature and experience His goodness in a profound way. [32:06]

5. Invitation to Experience: We are invited to "taste and see" God's goodness by walking closely with Him, trusting in His promises, and living in a way that reflects His character. [20:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:22] - The Concept of Reviews
- [05:03] - Understanding God's Goodness
- [06:42] - Misunderstanding God's Goodness
- [08:07] - Experiencing God's Goodness in Trials
- [10:30] - David's Context in Psalm 34
- [11:59] - David's Declaration of God's Goodness
- [14:15] - Invitation to Experience God's Goodness
- [15:55] - Security in God's Goodness
- [17:16] - God's Protection and Provision
- [18:49] - The Steadfastness of God's Goodness
- [20:11] - Invitation to Trust in God
- [21:26] - Living Righteously
- [22:58] - The Assurance of God's Favor
- [24:10] - Experiencing God's Goodness in Trials
- [26:14] - Boasting in the Lord
- [28:22] - Reflecting on God's Goodness
- [30:02] - Worshiping God for His Goodness
- [31:06] - Jesus as the Revelation of God's Goodness
- [32:06] - Invitation to Experience Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Experiencing God's Goodness

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 34

Observation Questions:
1. What circumstances was David facing when he wrote Psalm 34, and how did he respond to those circumstances? [10:30]
2. How does David describe the experience of those who look to the Lord in Psalm 34? [11:59]
3. What actions does David encourage in Psalm 34 to align with God's ways? [12:43]
4. How does David illustrate the security and provision found in God's goodness? [17:16]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does David's situation in Psalm 34 challenge the common perception that God's goodness is only evident in favorable circumstances? [08:07]
2. In what ways does David's invitation to "taste and see" the goodness of God encourage a personal experience of God's character? [14:15]
3. How does the sermon suggest that aligning our lives with God's ways opens us to experience His goodness more fully? [21:26]
4. What role does Jesus play in revealing the ultimate goodness of God, according to the sermon? [31:06]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you equated God's goodness with favorable circumstances. How might David's perspective in Psalm 34 change your understanding of God's goodness? [06:42]
2. David invites us to "taste and see" that the Lord is good. What practical steps can you take this week to experience God's goodness in your daily life? [14:15]
3. Consider the areas of your life where you need to align more closely with God's ways. What specific changes can you make to live righteously and seek peace? [21:26]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus to better understand and experience God's goodness? [31:06]
5. In what ways can you share your experiences of God's goodness with others, as David did in Psalm 34? [28:22]
6. Identify a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you find security and stability in God's goodness, as David did? [15:55]
7. Reflect on the ordinary and mundane aspects of your life. How can you develop a grateful heart towards God for His constant and daily benefits? [29:03]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Goodness is Unchanging
God's goodness is a fundamental aspect of His character, independent of our life's circumstances. This truth challenges us to see beyond the immediate and often fluctuating situations we face. God's goodness is not a reward for favorable conditions but a constant presence that offers stability and assurance. Even in the midst of trials, we can trust in His unchanging nature and find peace. This understanding invites us to redefine how we perceive and testify about God's goodness, recognizing it as a steadfast reality in our lives. [05:03]

Psalm 100:5 (ESV): "For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."

Reflection: In what current situation are you struggling to see God's goodness? How can you remind yourself of His unchanging nature today?


Day 2: Experiencing God's Goodness in Trials
David's life, particularly during the writing of Psalm 34, illustrates that God's goodness provides security and stability, regardless of life's challenges. Despite being on the run and facing dire circumstances, David could still proclaim God's goodness. This teaches us that God's goodness is not contingent on our circumstances but is a source of peace that surpasses understanding. By trusting in God, we can experience His goodness even in the midst of trials, finding a sense of security that is rooted in who God is. [15:55]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Think of a recent trial you faced. How did you experience God's goodness during that time, and how can you share that experience with someone else today?


Day 3: Aligning with God's Ways
To fully experience God's goodness, we must align our lives with His ways, living righteously and seeking peace. This alignment opens us to the fullness of God's favor and protection, as His eyes are turned toward the righteous. It is not enough to merely know about God's goodness; we are called to live in a way that reflects and experiences it daily. This involves turning away from evil and actively seeking peace, inviting God's favor and protection into our lives. [21:26]

1 Peter 3:11-12 (ESV): "Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to align your life more closely with God's ways and invite His favor?


Day 4: Jesus as the Revelation of God's Goodness
The greatest revelation of God's goodness is found in Jesus Christ. He embodies the goodness of God, offering us a relationship that transcends our circumstances. By looking to Jesus, we find the perfect image of God's nature and the assurance of His goodness in our lives. This relationship with Jesus invites us to experience God's goodness in a profound way, as we see His love and grace manifested through Christ. [32:06]

Colossians 1:15-16 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."

Reflection: How does your relationship with Jesus help you understand and experience God's goodness? What steps can you take to deepen this relationship today?


Day 5: Invitation to Experience God's Goodness
We are invited to "taste and see" God's goodness by walking closely with Him, trusting in His promises, and living in a way that reflects His character. This invitation is not just to know about God's goodness but to experience it firsthand. By engaging in a close relationship with God, we open ourselves to the richness of His goodness and the transformative power it brings to our lives. This involves a daily commitment to trust in His promises and live in alignment with His character. [20:11]

Psalm 34:8 (ESV): "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

Reflection: What is one practical way you can "taste and see" God's goodness today? How can you make this a regular part of your spiritual practice?

Quotes

"On the most difficult days of my life, when my life might feel like it is falling apart, everything is in shambles, everything is difficult, everything is challenging, many of you may be living your best day ever. You might be having the greatest news. You might have have gotten that phone call that you've been hoping for, that good news from a son or daughter, I don't know what it may be. You're living the good life while someone else is in shambles." [00:08:07] (28 seconds)


"With that in mind, I wanna turn our attention to Psalm chapter 34, because David, writing this psalm, invites us in to experience the goodness of God and to join with him in that experience and to join with him in celebrating God's goodness. And as you're turning there, I just wanna give you a little bit of a context, because the beauty of the psalms is that we know the historical context that was going on when they were written, for some of them. Oftentimes, we don't know those off the top of our head, but Psalm 34 was written by David in a rather difficult time of his life." [00:09:19] (36 seconds)


"And so here, I just imagine David sitting back and watching this happen. He's like, oh boy, this can't be good, right? Because that, I took out their champion. I got to get out of the situation. And David, in the heat of that moment, says, here's how I'm going to get out of it. I'm going to act like a madman, right? He literally acts like he has gone insane. He begins leaving, like, claw marks on the sides of the doorposts of the city gates. He lets the drool from his mouth pour down over his beard. He acts like he's lost his mind. And so the king of Gath looks and says, this guy? This, the great David." [00:10:50] (41 seconds)


"There's a good chance that as David leaves, he finds himself in a cave, which, with a bunch of other people who are destitute, in debt, and they're running, and they're hiding out in this cave. And it's probably in that cave that David writes the words of Psalm 34. And he writes this, and he says, I will bless the Lord at all times, and his praise shall continually be in my mouth." [00:11:39] (26 seconds)


"Come, oh children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life and loves many days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good and seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles." [00:13:01] (31 seconds)


"And so my brothers and sisters, I ask you today, and I invite you this year to taste and see that God is good, not by creating new habits, not by having new resolutions and all those things. I invite you this year to taste and see God is good by walking with him, by living according to his ways, honoring him with your attitudes, honoring him with your actions and your priorities." [00:23:03] (23 seconds)


"Could it be that God's goodness, the goodness that you'll experience this year is the strength to get up and face another day? Could it be that God's goodness to you this year is gonna be the wisdom to navigate some difficult and very trying ordeal? That is an experience of the goodness of God. But you must walk with him and walk uprightly before him." [00:24:21] (27 seconds)


"That as we are revering him and just respecting and giving him all the glory in our life, we would take time then to also reveal him to other people and say, hey, I don't want you to miss out. I want you to come and enjoy the goodness of God with me. See, I love the month of December as a church because one of the things that we do special in the month of December is we watch these videos, right? There's these videos that are testimonies of what God's been doing throughout the year because life gets busy and we have a lot of things going on throughout the ministry here. A lot of things at this campus, lots of things, especially when you've taken all the campuses together and we get caught up in the busyness of ministry. And for a couple weeks out of the year, we slow down just enough to say, hey, maybe we should look back and see some of the things that God's doing." [00:27:31] (51 seconds)


"See, oftentimes we wait for God's goodness to be experienced in the kind of extraordinary events of our lives. Matthew Henry wrote, and he said that if we had grateful hearts towards God, we would let slip. No occasion, which invites us to praise and honor him. Not only those things that are new and surprising, that are unusual or extraordinary, but also the common and ordinary works of God, his constant and daily benefits." [00:29:20] (30 seconds)


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Transcript
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