My name is Raymond Heiser. At the time you read this, I will have just returned from my 21st mission trip to southern Mexico since 1996. Teaching on discipleship to second-year Bible school students, all of whom are either pastors, youth pastors or worship leaders is always a trip highlight. Additionally, teaching the first-year Bible school students and preaching in area churches are equally energizing.

REFLECTIONS ON THE LORD'S GOODNESS

KEY VERSE

Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. (Psalm 25:8)

CENTRAL TRUTH

The Lord's goodness is all around us. We see it reflected in His creation, in His daily provision for us, but most of all in His constant, consistent love for us.

REFLECTIONS

Psalm 25 is one of those "loaded" Psalms. There is so much that inspires and challenges a person.

As I meditated and thought about the key verse, I was reminded that in the Genesis 1 account of creation there are six statements about the goodness of creation. The culminating statement is, "And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good." (Genesis 1:31a) The goodness of creation emanates from the character of the goodness of God.

In several Psalms we are reminded to "give thanks to the LORD for He is good, for His loving kindness is everlasting." Several translations (RSV, ESV) use "steadfast love" instead of "loving kindness." I like that terminology. God's love never fails and never stops. It is always the same, consistent and constant. It is love you can count on regardless.

But back to the key verse. As a result of the Lord being good and upright (totally righteous), He instructs sinners in the way. That is, to those who have missed the way - ended up in the ditch - He gives instructions on how to get back in the right way. He doesn't leave us on our own in the ditch. Our Savior pulls us out of the ditch (see Psalm 25:5, NIV). Once out of the ditch, He instructs and teaches us how to stay "in the way." All this is because of the goodness of God.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Ask the Lord to bring reminders of His goodness to you throughout the day.
2. Thank Him for those reminders and for those specific aspects of His goodness.
3. Is there anything of His goodness that you can share with someone else?