As I grow older, my first reflections of each day is that of gratitude to God for giving me the opportunity to witness the day. I have come to realise that each day is a gift; no one is guranteed the next day. As my lips utter the words, “Thank you Lord for a brand new day”, my thoughts gravitate to God’s goodness.

Lately, I began to think about what the goodness of God means to me. The first time we see the word ‘good’ in the Bible is in Genesis when God began the work of creation. After the second day, He looked at all that He has made and He saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:4) Again, after the third day, God looked at what He created and saw that it was good (Genesis 1:12) Each day after that, God looked at all He made, and saw that it was good. Interestingly, it wasn’t until the 6th day, when God created man and placed him in charge of all that He had created and pronounced a blessing upon him, that God looked His creation and saw that it was very good. The word ‘very’ was added to good because the creation of man was the masterpiece of God’s creation.

What does the word ‘good’ really mean?  The word "good" in its ordinary meaning generally refers to something that is morally right, beneficial, or satisfactory. It encompasses qualities such as kindness, generosity, helpfulness, and integrity. In everyday language, when something is described as "good," it often conveys the idea of being positive, desirable, or praiseworthy.

In a biblical context, the word "good" takes on a deeper and richer meaning, often tied to moral and spiritual perfection. It reflects God's nature and character, implying qualities like righteousness, holiness, and purity. In Genesis, when God declares His creation "good," it signifies not only the perfection and completeness of His work but also its alignment with His purpose and intentions.

Moses is a well-known figure in the Bible, famous for speaking directly with God many times. In one powerful moment (Exodus 33:18), Moses asked God, "Please show me your glory." This was a brave step forward for Moses, who, when God first spoke to him from a burning bush, was so afraid that he hid his face (Exodus 3:6). Over the years, witnessing God's mighty deeds and unwavering faithfulness gave Moses greater confidence and trust.

God told Moses that seeing His face directly would be too much for any human to survive. However, God offered Moses a special experience: "I will let all my goodness pass in front of you, and I will announce my name, the LORD, to you" (Exodus 33:19). This promise highlights that God's goodness is a key part of who He is—a revelation of His kindness and nature.

In human terms, we don’t often refer to a person’s goodness. Usually, people tend to refer to someone as a good man or good woman but you rarely find people speak about one’s goodness. I believe this is because the word ‘goodness’ carries a deeper significance. It reflects the moral perfection and holiness of God. God's goodness isn't just about doing good things; it includes His righteous character and His caring actions toward people. It shows how complete and perfect God's nature is and how kind He is in everything He plans for the world.

Before God promised Moses the experience of witnessing His goodness, Moses was facing a crisis. Lacking confidence to lead the Israelites, he sought assurance of God's presence (Exodus 33:12-16). God reassured Moses twice before Moses courageously asked to see God's glory in verse 18.

David was a man who God referred to in scripture as, “a man after my own heart’ (Acts 13:22) He  wrote one of the most read and recited Psalms in the Bible, Psalm 23. In verse 6 he says, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life…”  This verse shows David's deep personal experience and understanding of God's unwavering goodness and love. 

For David, God's goodness was not just an abstract concept but a tangible reality in his life. Throughout his journey, David experienced God's protection, guidance, and provision in various circumstances—whether he as a shepherd boy, a fugitive hiding from King Saul or as the king of Israel. God's goodness meant that David could rely on Him through all life's ups and downs.

It challenging to recognise the goodness of God when we are going through difficult times because we are often focused on the circumstances rather than on the character of a God who knows all things. In fact, we often feel tempted to ask the question, “how can a good God allow this to happen to me seeing that I prayed for and trusted Him to help me overcome this situation?” Yet, in my own life, I've often found that God's goodness shines brightest during tough times, providing the strength and comfort that I needed.

Living with the awareness of God's goodness transforms our lives. It deepens our gratitude, fosters trust in His plans, and strengthens our relationship with Him. 

Embrace each day as a gift, acknowledging the richness of God's goodness in all things. You can be sure that in spite of whatever circumstances you are facing, God is always good.