Reset Password
Reset Link Sent
| Blogs > Katididaustralia > Katididaustralia |
|
Give Thanks To Jehovah For He Is Good Psalm 106:1+2 Praise Jah! Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good; His loyal love endures forever. Who can fully declare Jehovah’s mighty acts or proclaim all his praiseworthy deeds? How many individuals do you know whom you would classify as "good"? True, the word "good" is often used to describe people who stand out in some way. They may be those who are pleasant, agreeable, honorable, virtuous, loyal, kind, competent, skillful, and so forth. In fact, the bible tells us that "a good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth." Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth; To be respected is better than silver and gold. But how many people do you know who match up to the designation "good" as mentioned by the apostle Paul? Romans 5: 7 For hardly would anyone die for a righteous man; though perhaps for a good man someone may dare to die Is there a difference between a righteous man and a good man? Why does Paul appear to contrast them with each other? Both righteousness and goodness are positive qualities that may seem synonymous. Yet, they do differ. A righteous man or woman complies with the laws and requirements of God. You cannot fault him with regard to keeping his proper obligations. Such a person is just, impartial, honest and upright. He is not tainted by wrongdoing or immorality. Instead, he abides by principle and may even win your respect and admiration. But does he capture your heart? The good man does. He stands out in sharp contrast to a stickler for rules and regulations. The good man is not just someone who fulfills his obligations out of a sense of duty. He goes beyond that. He cares about people and looks for opportunities to express kindness and consideration. Willingly and eagerly, he comes to the aid of those in real need. He works unselfishly in behalf of others, not asking for a reward or for special consideration. The man who is thus self-sacrificing - who is outstandingly warm, loving and merciful - may appeal so much to your heart that, as Paul noted, you may be willing to die for him. Jesus, though, pointed to an even higher standard. Although Jesus exemplified all the qualities associated with goodness and knew that he would sacrifice his life to redeem mankind, he did not accept "Good" as a title. Mark 10:17+18 As he was going on his way, a man ran up and fell on his knees before him and put the question to him: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit everlasting life?” Jesus said to him: “Why do you call me good? Nobody is good except one, God Why was Jesus unwilling to be called "good"? Because in the fullest sense, only God is good. Jesus recognized that Jehovah is unique, the ultimate standard of what is good, and that His glory does not belong to anyone else. Isaiah 42:8 I am Jehovah. That is my name; I give my glory to no one else, Nor my praise to graven images Unlike Adam and Eve, who sought to assume the right to determine what is good and what is bad, Jesus humbly left that right to his Father. He knew that Jehovah is the Source of all that is truly good. James 1:16-18 Do not be misled, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, coming down from the Father of the celestial lights, who does not vary or change like the shifting shadows. It was his will to bring us forth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. An outstanding feature of Jehovah's goodness is His impartiality. Psalm 145:9 Jehovah is good to all, and his mercy is evident in all his works. Luke 6:35+36 On the contrary, continue to love your enemies and to do good and to lend without hoping for anything back; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind toward the unthankful and wicked. Continue being merciful, just as your Father is merciful Matthew 5:44+45 However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good and makes it rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous Acts 17:24+25 The God who made the world and all the things in it, being, as he is, Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in handmade temples; nor is he served by human hands as if he needed anything, because he himself gives to all people life and breath and all things. That our welfare and happiness are very important to Jehovah is evident in the way we were created. Not only do earth's provisions sustain us but they are also appealing and bring us joy. Acts 14:16+17 In past generations he permitted all the nations to go on in their ways, although he did not leave himself without witness in that he did good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you with food and filling your hearts with gladness. Yet, all these things would be temporary and fleeting were it not for another manifestation of Jehovah's goodness - the sacrifice of His only-begotten so that we may enjoy everlasting life. John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten , so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. Do you appreciate God's goodness? If you do, mention it in your prayers. Show gratitude by the way you live and how you act toward others. Make your appreciation known in your comments at Christian Meetings and in the Field Ministry. Now and forever, "give thanks to Jehovah, for He is good." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is the introduction to our 2015 "Examining The Scriptures Daily" booklet. It is such a good explanation of why Jesus said: “Why do you call me good?, that I just had to share it with you. I hope it lifts your heart the way it did mine. Yours, Katidid. |
×
×