Article February 2, 1935 Issue

The Goodness of God

PETER B. BIGGINS

From early times spiritually-minded men and women have extolled the goodness of God. God's bountiful outpouring of blessings upon humanity very properly calls forth loving response from grateful hearts. While material-mindedness has seemed to obscure the reasons for gratitude, even the least spiritual awakening at once prompts one to appreciate God's goodness, and to give due thanks for its manifold expressions.

The Bible contains a record of the manifestations of God's goodness to man. In the thirty-third chapter of Exodus we read that God said to Moses, "I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee." Over and over again in the experience of Moses were the presence and power of God proved. Safeguarded in his infancy from Pharaoh's cruel edict decreeing the death of every male Hebrew child, he was then protected while being reared and educated in the Egyptian court. When obliged to flee from Egypt he was guided during his solitary communings with God while tending his father-in-law's flock in the desert of Midian. Later, God enabled him to help his fellow Hebrews by leading them out of Egyptian bondage. And as he needed other assurances of infinite goodness, he received from God further revelation.

Centuries after Moses had to this extent discerned the boundless goodness of God, and the children of Israel had occupied the promised land for many generations, David had many proofs of the divine goodness. At a time when he was being pursued by King Saul, he enjoyed the hospitality of Ahimelech, the priest, who gave him and his men shewbread to eat, when they were in great need. In thanking God for His protection and provision on that occasion, in that song which we now know as the fifty-second Psalm, David proclaims this eternal verity: "The goodness of God endureth continually."

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