The goodness of God endures continually.—Psalm 52:1
Good things show up in our lives in a myriad of ways: friends and family, health and happiness, a roof overhead and food on the table, the enjoyment we derive from music, art, and literature. The Bible teaches us that God is the origin of these blessings. “God’s gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do.”1 “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.”2
These gifts, as wonderful as they are, are just a small illustration of God’s love. How easy it is, in the busy activity of daily living, to overlook the greatest manifestation of God’s goodness—His gift to us in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”3
We could say that Jesus is the goodness of God made flesh. And this gift leads to another: “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”4
God didn’t have to send His Son; and Jesus didn’t have to lay down His life for our sakes, but He did, and as a result, we are eligible to receive forgiveness of sins and the assurance of an eternity in God’s loving presence. Without Jesus’ sacrifice, without His sufferings on the cross, without His death, without His resurrection and triumph over the grave, we would not have the promise of everlasting life.
For this exercise, take some time to thank God for His gift of salvation. Thank Him for sending Jesus to die in your place. Thank Him for the gifts of forgiveness and redemption. Use your own words, or you may like to say this prayer:
“Thank You, God, for sending Your Son, Jesus, to bear the punishment for all my mistakes and shortcomings.5 Please keep my heart, mind, and life open to You, so that I always remember Your goodness.”