The Goodness of God Motivates

Introduction

When you chose that psalm magnify, you weren’t even traffic, right? Yeah. Yeah, I wasn’t. As we are trying to magnify the goodness of God and to appreciate the goodness of God, he is the original definition of good. Everything about God intrinsically is good. And that speaks to his generosity toward us. In 2 Timothy 1, and that’s actually 2 Timothy 2, verse 13. I just noticed that.

And I like 2 Timothy 2, verse 13, as it speaks to the fact that men aren’t as constant as God. I wondered what this passage was saying for a long time. If we are faithless, he remains faithful. For he cannot deny himself. And that doesn’t mean that God is going to save me despite my faithlessness. He’s going to be faithful and save me, regardless of how I act and respond. That’s not what he’s saying. He’s saying, men, we’re up and down.

Sometimes we go from faith to faith less, but not God.

He’s always good. And so I want us to better appreciate the goodness of God and what that means in your life. I hope I can convey that even better tonight. We looked at surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, as David talks about in that famous Psalm 23, toward the end. And we noted this morning that God is good. He wants to lavish and overwhelm you with his goodness. Those are the thoughts that he has about you. God is for you. He has your back. He is there plotting to do you good. You are the object of his affection. And because of his divine nature, all that he expresses comes from an expansive, overwhelming, God-sized generosity towards you. So I want to take you in beginning tonight to a passage, probably not on your radar from Isaiah chapter 30 and verse 18.

1. The Lord Longs to Be Gracious to You

This is the ESV version. I’m going to read the New American Standard. You can see how it’s different. Therefore, the Lord longs to be gracious to you. And therefore, he waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice. How blessed are all those who long for him.

Judah’s struggles spiritually. And it seems in Isaiah 30 that they’re going to awaken. They awaken from their senseless past to God’s purposes for them. And he says, you know, we a lot of times we talk about waiting on the Lord. And there’s a lot of passages that address that concept. He will talk about that later in Isaiah 40, right? Verse 31, that verse that you see everywhere. Those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. And so, yeah, we need to wait on the Lord. But you know what this passage is saying? The Lord waits on us. The Lord waits on us to do us good. He longs. When God looks at you, He longs to do good to you.

So where have you been? Spiritually. Let me tell you what I often do. I often set the table. You know how when you’re having dinner, guests, you know you set the table, you make it all nice and pretty, and it’s all inviting, and then it happens. Dinner. Chaos. Food flies everywhere.

At least there’s crumbs left over when you’re done. Done. Some people, have you ever noticed how messy they are when they eat? Some people they eat, and they’re okay. I’m going off on a tangent here. But sometimes there’s stuff everywhere, strewn everywhere after a meal. It happens. And so the meal. And so a lot of times when I preach, I set the table, you know, I’m going about here and there, establishing a basis, and then I’ll come to the end and say, now, here’s the meal. I’m doing something different tonight. Now, this doesn’t mean you can check out after this. I have some other things to share tonight. But I want to come to the meal right now. How are you doing? How are you doing spiritually today?

How’s it been going for you?

Where are you now in relation to where you were a year ago?

Or when you obeyed the gospel? Are you at a place where you need to get to work and make some changes? You need to again devote yourself to prayer. The service of others. True devotion to God. Now, if you’re if that’s where you are, in a place where your strength is not what it’s been. This passage is for you. The Lord wants to again bless you with his goodness.

2. The Goodness of God Leads Us to Repentance

He wants to shower you once more. That’s why understanding the goodness of God is so very important. Even when we find ourselves far away from him, he’s the father of the prodigal. Ready to kill the fatted calf upon our return. You mean the likes of that scoundrel who went off and wasted the inheritance that I had worked for? You mean, yes, even that scandal? Why do you think Jesus tells that story that way? The father of the prodigal is the good God that we’ve been talking about today. And so, please appreciate it thrills God to give good gifts. Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shifting show.

I’m adding verse 5 only because Owen really seemed a little indignant this morning. He was appreciative that I included him in the lesson. But he was saying, you really should have mentioned James 1 and verse 5. You know, and Jay tonight says, I thought of Genesis chapter 1, where everything God made when he made it, he says, it was good. Of course it’s good. It emanates from God who is good. And so, Owen, here you go. I think you shared these thoughts at camp, right? Is that what you’re telling me? James chapter 1 and verse 5. The fact that God gives liberally and generously of wisdom to those who lack and yet ask for that wisdom to be provided.

We noted it also in Romans 8 and verse 32. And I guess I’ve read this many times, but not really notice the last part, the question that’s raised. But he who did not spare his own son, that is, he offered up his son for us, demonstrating his core of goodness. He delivered him up for us all. How will he not? Is that not enough? Sure it is. But how will he not also with him freely give us all things? This is the generosity of our God. And so what does the generosity and the goodness of God really telling you and me? Well, Romans chapter 2 and verse 4, and this is what I want to talk about tonight briefly. Romans chapter 2 and verse 4 suggest that it is the goodness and kindness of God that leads us to repentance.

The motivating factor in our turn from vanity to serve a living and true God is to see that God delivered his son up for us all. Just like the story of Abraham and Isaac back in Genesis chapter 22, but even more so, where God actually did plunge the knife and turn away. He gave up his son. So that we could come though unholy into the presence of a holy God and no union and fellowship with him. We should never get over the wonder of that. But it’s not just that. He wants to shower us with even more. He is lavished upon us. I love that word in Ephesians chapter 1. That’s everything that we’re talking about. The goodness and kindness of God leads you to repentance.

And that’s why I started with the meal. That’s why I told you if there’s something that needs mending, if you need to amend your ways and your doings, a constant refrain in the Old Testament, may it be the goodness of God that motivates it. God is there waiting. He’s longing to embrace you yet again and bless you again. Even though you would think an ingrate child who has not responded in the kind of joy and zeal and enthusiasm that he or she should have displayed.

That’s the way we might do it. I’m done with you. If you can’t appreciate what I’ve done for you, I’m done. Sometimes as parents we get there a little bit. If our children don’t act grateful for what we do. Okay, I’m done. Don’t push their buttons. Be appreciative of what they’re doing for you. But sometimes we may act like, but you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children. But what about our God? He’s different. He’s better. He longs to shower us with his goodness.

If we only saw.

If we only saw all of that against what is deserved utter rejection, perpetual banishment, eternal punishment. You know, yeah, no, that’s that’s not really good. We really are. I’m better than most people. But you’re not good. There’s sin on our account. This is what we have earned and maritime. And God says, nope, I’m gonna give you a pass on that through my son Jesus Christ, if you’ll embrace him. And not only that, I’m gonna let you know a relationship with me, the essence of good, and I’m gonna give you peace that passes, surpasses all understanding. Really? You mean I can go to bed at night knowing that if the worst possible thing happens and I and I don’t awake till tomorrow, I don’t live to be 95 and in good health all my days?

You mean everything’s gonna be well with me? It’s even gonna be better. Yes! Yes! The peace of God that surpasses all comprehension, and the fact that I can, that God actually accepts the worship that emanates from my lips, and then he’s working in my life on a daily basis, supplying my needs and using me as his instrument, the vessels for honor that we talked about so often from 2 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, that I can be such a vessel in God’s house. This is wild. The goodness of God motivates our response. Have you ever thought about God? We said this morning. Have you ever thought of God as generous toward you despite your baggage? Your junk, your hang ups. He desires to be generous in extravagant ways.

Now you’re saying, okay, sure. Why not? I’ll go with it, preacher. Sounds good. You’ve backed it up with some scripture. Now I want to show you. Does God want to be generous to you? To the likes of you. You know, he has shown us. And I must tell you, I’ve missed it. And I was repairing these thoughts on the goodness of God, and here it comes in my inbox. It was a sermon share from Tommy Peeler, which just happens to be Tony’s Tony Sellers’ brother-in-law. He’s married to Christy Sellers, Tony’s sister. And every now and then Tommy will throw out a sermon that he really likes to his preaching buddies to see if they can use it. And I said, I can use this Sunday.

And so this is the part that I got from Tommy. As he talked about an old testament example that we all know very well.

3. The Goodness of God Even to Ahab

Now, if I mention Ahab, good king or bad king. Quick. Yeah, bad king. All the Israel kings, none of the, you know, they all walk in the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, and bad kings. Our good kings list for Judah probably needs a little bit of revision. I’ll talk about that in a minute. Some of them, the sad thing is they started good, and good things are said about them, and then a lot of them tanked at the end. So that’s not good. You’d rather be good at the end than the beginning. I mean, if you had one of the other, good at the end is always advisable. So, okay, so I want to start in 1 Kings 20. Now you may think, when you think Ahab, what are you thinking?

That big event is Carmel, right? The prophets of Baal. Ahab and Elijah on this side, the prophets of Baal, and I love how they’re cutting themselves and all of this, crying out to a God who’s not there. You know, when you’re doing that kind of stuff, you know, in devotion to God, you might want to be confident that he’s actually there. Nothing’s happening. Baal’s gone on vacation, and Elijah mocks them. You know what? Just cry a little loud. Maybe we can’t hear you. So here they are screaming to Baal, screaming and all of these antics. Nothing happens. No sacrifice, no appearance by Baal whatsoever. And Elijah says, Oh, let me show you what the real God does. Fire, water in the trench evaporates immediately. Miracle. And if you’re a prophet of Baal, you die.

450 of them. Slain. That’s they’re just, I mean, that’s that’s what was deserved. When did that happen? That’s 1 Kings 18. 1 Kings 18. 1 Kings 19, Jezebel, well, she wasn’t real happy about the report of what happened at Carmel. And so instead of saying, oh wow, I need to sign on to serve Elijah’s God and listen to him because he’s a real prophet. Oh, no. We’re gonna kill it. We’re gonna kill him. Elijah doesn’t understand the response. He runs off to the cave of Horeb and has a big pity party. And it’s understandable. I mean, God has to come to him and say, okay, Elijah, now not the time for this. Come on out of it, boy. And again, that’s the generosity and goodness of God toward his faithful ones.

So Elijah gets busy. He’s got kings to anoint. He’s got a prophet to replace him. And look, you’re not the only one. You think you’re the only one. There’s still 7,000 and are not bowed the need to Baal. And so Elijah gets back to work. That’s when this happens. Assuming it’s all chronological, but even if it’s not, in 1 Kings 20, God says, Ahab, I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to give you a couple of victories. What?

What? Why is God doing this? For Ahab of all people. Ahab’s a veggie. And he’s married to that awful woman. That’s why none of you girls are named Jezebel.

What does God owe Ahab of?

Well, he doesn’t owe him anything. But he does say this. Have you seen all this great multitude? 1 Kings 20 and verse 13. Behold, I will deliver them into your hand today.

Seriously? Ahab. And you shall know that I am the Lord. Oh, well, that he’s gonna change now, didn’t he? No, he’s gonna kill Naboth in the next chapter. Sees his vengeance. In comes Elijah again. What are you doing? Killing innocent Naboth and taking his venue. Judgment’s coming on your house. And then God says, okay, not gonna bring the judgment on Ahab’s house. I’m gonna bring it on his descendants, his children. And Jehu’s gonna take care of all of that. Love the story of Jehu. Thad is. I’m sorry, Thad. It’s me too. Jehu, the guy who drives the chariot can be seen a mile away, for he driveth furiously. I was passing Thad on the way here. I thought, I never passed Thad on 249. And I get by and drive, and it’s Hayden driving the car.

And all of a sudden I was frightened. I said, I can’t believe Thad’s letting me pass him. You know, Thad and I are, we’re like Jehu driving a 249. Trying to try not to get a ticket, though, trying to stay with the ones. Where was I? Okay. Jehu’s gonna take care of enacting this judgment on Ahab’s house. But he doesn’t enact the judgment on Ahab himself. I mean, hasn’t Naboth just paid with his blood here? Well, because Ahab humbled himself. The text says.

All sorts of evil takes place. He leads the people down a path of horrible evil and destruction spiritually. And in 2 Chronicles 33, Manasseh humbles himself. And God paid attention to that. Here are two very wicked men. Let’s have a contest. Which one was the most wicked? I don’t know. But I think Manasseh might have ended up on the better side of things ultimately. But at least in this moment in 1 Kings 21, he says, I’m not going to bring judgment on Ahab’s house as bad as this guy is, because he humbled, he humbled himself. This is the goodness of God. If he’s going to show that kind of generosity and goodness to a guy like Ahab, I’m thinking your chances are really good. I know you people.

And then there’s 1 Kings 22, where it’s really going to go downhill for Ahab.

As Micaiah the prophet comes in and says, okay, Ahab, if you come back from battle, the Lord has not spoken by me. Twice. He tells him in 1 Kings 22. This is this is curtains for you. You’re done. This is God’s last ditch effort with Ahab. Two clear warnings from the prophet of God.

Not coming back. And he defies the prophet. Goes into battle anyway. And we know what he does, right? He disguises himself. Disguises don’t work with God because he sees everything. He knows everything. Men can be fooled and duped, but not God’s random arrows. God’s random arrows find their targets. Ahab rejected the goodness of God. One too many times. Do you think in these stories there’s not a message for you? Do you think there’s not a message for us that God may not be sending his prophet to speak to me personally or to speak to you personally? But regardless of the poor track that we choose, he is there. As long as there is breath, there is hope that we can come back. And the goodness of God is still there for us.

4. God Comes to Ahaz, a Bad King

This is one of my favorites. God comes to King Ahaz. Now, this is the part about the kings I was telling you about. Ahaz is the descendant of four good kings. Now, Joash ended very poorly. So I’m not sure about him and the good kings list. He started well but ended. I mean, when you start killing prophets, that’s not good. And Aziah, Ameziah, and Jotham, I mean, half of them. Okay, we ended well, it seems. But then comes Ahaz. Now, he’s the father of Hezekiah, who’s good, but then it gets really bad with Manasseh and Ammon after that. But, okay, Ahaz, he’s just bad. I mean, there’s just not much to recommend this guy. And yet God comes to him. This is not a good king, this is a bad king.

So remember, Ahab, change the letter Z, Ahaz, still a bad king. I love Isaiah 7. He comes to Ahaz and says, Ask for a sign. Why do this for Ahaz? Because this is what God does. He so that you’ll know that I am the God of Israel. Ask for a sign. Oh no. I wouldn’t ask God for a sign. I don’t want to. When God tells you to ask for a sign, you ask for a sign. Is it not enough that you try the patience of men that you will try the patience of God as well? And which that tells you something. The people didn’t like him either. Not only did he try the patience of men, he tried the patience of God.

And so God says, okay, you won’t ask for a sign, even though I told you to, I’m going to give you one anyway. And whoa, what kind of a sign it is. It’s a virgin giving birth to a child. Now, it’s my personal conviction that it had a certain meaning in that day, that it is a woman of that historical time who is a virgin when the prophecy is uttered, who will have a child, and before that child becomes a man or even an older child, the two kings that Ahaz fears, will be overthrown. And so that son, the birth of that son and the presence of that son will be a sign. Just like the birth of Jesus to a true virgin in the New Testament.

This passage is quoted in relation to Jesus’ birth in Matthew chapter 1. Just like Jesus’ birth to a real virgin is going to be a sign of the entrance of God into the world and human flesh. There’s going to be a birth in the days of Ahaz that is going to signal these two kings that you’re concerned about, just to the north of Israel, or Israel and Syria to the north. Pikah, king of Israel, and Rezan, king of Damascus or Syria, I’m going to overthrow them. And deliver you from that threat.

And that’s exactly what happens. But Ahaz still trusts in Assyria more than he trusts in God, Assyria, to the further north, who will eventually come and create a threat even for Hezekiah his son. If not for Hezekiah’s faith, it goes really south for Judah in the days of Ahaz’s son. So in 2 Chronicles 28, what does Ahaz learn from all of this? Absolutely nothing. And he dies, and they don’t even give him a king’s burial. He has tried the patience of God and the patience of men. And they couldn’t wait to get rid of him. But yet another example of God displaying his goodness. And despite being so privileged to have such communication with God, they reject him. I want to make an observation about all these guys on the screen that I’ve mentioned tonight.

5. Your Times Are in God's Hands

And that’s this as I come to a conclusion. All this posture, all this posture. The posturing of Pika and resin and Ahaz and alliances here and alliances there, and Ahab’s doing the same thing. All this posturing without the Lord, you think you’re going somewhere. But you’re not.

Until he doesn’t anymore. What does that mean to you? A lot of times we make all these plans, the things we’re going to do, fun we’re going to have, places we’re going to go. We do all this posture. But you need to remember one very important thing. Your times are in God’s hands.

That’s why we’re talking about stewardship in our class on Sunday morning. When God says, it’s over. Or when time and chance does what it so often does, it’s over. And all your posturing and all of your power is reduced to nothing. In a moment. I think of Pilate. Oh, what am I going to do with Jesus? Oh, my wife, my wife had a terrible dream about this. I don’t know what I’m going to do with this guy. This is a big mess. The Roman authorities, this could go bad for me. I’m a political ruler in Judea. I’m just going to wash my hands of the whole thing. And so he gets out of his water base and he washes his hands of the whole thing. And he’s concerned about himself.

You know how much longer he was the Roman procurator of Judea? Just a few years. Boy, it would have been better to probably listen to that king that was sitting in your office. Might have been better to really hear his story about his kingdom that is not of this world. Pilate, your time. Your time as ruler and wielding power is short. And then I think of Festus, who says, Paul, you’re out of your ever-loving mind. I wonder if we could interview Festus right now if he would still be singing that story. That Paul guy’s nuts. But he isn’t singing that story right now. Agrippa, almost you persuaded me to be Christian. But I want to tell you, those guys were so concerned about their circumstances, their surroundings, and they were trying to protect that at all costs.

It’s very temporary. The goodness of God drives you to repentance. This is you’re only going to posture as long as God or your circumstances allow it, and then your posturing is done. Then what? And that’s true in the local church. I don’t think anything could be more repugnant than leaders among the Lord’s people who abuse power. Be careful, men. Those of you who aspire to the office of elder and leading the Lord’s people. It’s true, preachers, it’s true of elders. We’re just very temporary players here on the stage of human history. This is about advancing God’s cause while we have time. And while we have opportunity. Listen.

I’m not good. That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be preaching. That doesn’t mean I’m habitually practicing sin.

I am what I am by the grace of God. God is good. And this will always be, as I said this morning, about Him. And not so much about us. Let us never get carried away with us. How repugnant that sometimes, even among the Lord’s people, men get carried away with power. Is that everything that happens in Decker Prairie? I’m making the decision. Look at me. King Pen of Decker Prairie. Really?

Conclusion

Really? By the way, that’s not true. I have very little say in a lot of things that happen around here. And I like it that way, actually. I just I tell the priest, the elders, just give me a place to preach and the tools that I need to do it. That’s what I’m here to do. The essence of God. He is good. And you need his goodness in your life. And he can direct your steps. Trust in him. Is there someone in this audience tonight, who needs to come to him as he generously offers his salvation? Our God is so very good to us. The goodness of God leads us to repentance. The Lord God is a son and shield. The Lord God gives grace and glory.

No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. And yes, all things work together for good. Those who love God called according to his purpose. God has good intentions. Only the best die for us. You need to respond. Come now as we stand and say.