I heartily agree with Charnock. Over the past few years, the goodness of God has become particularly dear to me. It is this goodness that comes under greatest attack when we experience doubts or crises of faith. It is the goodness of God that is called into question in the modern world as much as his existence. Because people do not believe he is good, they do not want him to exist. The Psalmist would have despaired if he had not seen the goodness of God in the land of the living. I believe that when we feel an absence of God in the modern world or our personal lives, and when we begin to despair of the evils done under the sun, we actually have to train ourselves to see God's goodness. Eyes of faith allow us to see what others miss. God's goodness is given in the the preached Word, the sacraments, the fellowship of believers, the forgiveness of sins - in our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life. Too often, we forget the goodness that is Christ's incarnation and our salvation, and focus instead on the evils of man. While we should by no means blind ourselves to those evils, we must give at least as much attention to God's goodness, or risk losing the joy of our salvation.
Hey Amy, thank you for sharing these thoughts. They are much appreciated. I have greatly enjoyed putting these series of excerpts together and it is a pleasure to be able to share them with others. I am looking forward to exploring how Charnock applies the doctrine towards the end of his discourse over the coming weeks.
Wowsers! This has blown me away. I have used the phrase “goodness of God” many times… even sung about it… but never thought about it this deeply. I had never thought about the various ways “goodness” might be interpreted… and hadn’t reflected on how all those other attributes flow because of his goodness. I have a new and deeper appreciation. What a God we serve. Thanks for writing and sharing, Charnocks work.
It's my pleasure, Jadie. Of you enjoyed this first one, I think you may enjoy even more what Charnock says about God's goodness in his creation, redemption, and providence!
Quote: - All are streams from this one fountain; he could be none of this WERE HE NOT GOOD When it confers happiness without merit, it is grace; when it bestows happiness against merit, it is mercy; when he bears with provoking rebels, it is long-suffering; when he performs his promise, it is truth; . . . when it soothes a distressed person, it is pity; when it supplies a destitute person, it is bounty; when it helps an innocent person, it is righteousness . . .—all summed up in this one name of goodness (my emphasis JM). End quote.
What a marvelous GOOD God we have. Praise God that His nature does not change and we can trust and have faith in Him, for live now and in the future.
Thank you James! Really enjoying this and finding it a helpful way to reflect and consider God's goodness. Something I'd like to get more in the habit of doing. Blessings.
Hey Jonathan, glad it is beneficial for you. I am planning to send out a few more posts in the coming weeks which I hope will help you continue with this! It was lovely to bump into you a few weeks ago.
I heartily agree with Charnock. Over the past few years, the goodness of God has become particularly dear to me. It is this goodness that comes under greatest attack when we experience doubts or crises of faith. It is the goodness of God that is called into question in the modern world as much as his existence. Because people do not believe he is good, they do not want him to exist. The Psalmist would have despaired if he had not seen the goodness of God in the land of the living. I believe that when we feel an absence of God in the modern world or our personal lives, and when we begin to despair of the evils done under the sun, we actually have to train ourselves to see God's goodness. Eyes of faith allow us to see what others miss. God's goodness is given in the the preached Word, the sacraments, the fellowship of believers, the forgiveness of sins - in our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life. Too often, we forget the goodness that is Christ's incarnation and our salvation, and focus instead on the evils of man. While we should by no means blind ourselves to those evils, we must give at least as much attention to God's goodness, or risk losing the joy of our salvation.
Hey Amy, thank you for sharing these thoughts. They are much appreciated. I have greatly enjoyed putting these series of excerpts together and it is a pleasure to be able to share them with others. I am looking forward to exploring how Charnock applies the doctrine towards the end of his discourse over the coming weeks.
I hope to be able to finish the whole series! I'm trying to catch up on my Substack reading.
Wowsers! This has blown me away. I have used the phrase “goodness of God” many times… even sung about it… but never thought about it this deeply. I had never thought about the various ways “goodness” might be interpreted… and hadn’t reflected on how all those other attributes flow because of his goodness. I have a new and deeper appreciation. What a God we serve. Thanks for writing and sharing, Charnocks work.
It's my pleasure, Jadie. Of you enjoyed this first one, I think you may enjoy even more what Charnock says about God's goodness in his creation, redemption, and providence!
Looking forward to it!
Quote: - All are streams from this one fountain; he could be none of this WERE HE NOT GOOD When it confers happiness without merit, it is grace; when it bestows happiness against merit, it is mercy; when he bears with provoking rebels, it is long-suffering; when he performs his promise, it is truth; . . . when it soothes a distressed person, it is pity; when it supplies a destitute person, it is bounty; when it helps an innocent person, it is righteousness . . .—all summed up in this one name of goodness (my emphasis JM). End quote.
What a marvelous GOOD God we have. Praise God that His nature does not change and we can trust and have faith in Him, for live now and in the future.
Thank you James! Really enjoying this and finding it a helpful way to reflect and consider God's goodness. Something I'd like to get more in the habit of doing. Blessings.
Hey Jonathan, glad it is beneficial for you. I am planning to send out a few more posts in the coming weeks which I hope will help you continue with this! It was lovely to bump into you a few weeks ago.