WBC Daily Devotions Feb. 18-22

unchanging: God's Goodness

Daily Devotions for Feb. 18-22

"I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me." Jeremiah 32:40

MONDAY, Feb. 18

"God is good all the time...all the time God is good." Perhaps you have heard this statement about the goodness of God. Without question, God is always good. There are times, however, when we doubt God's goodness. Maybe life is not going the way we would like. Finances are tough. Someone we love is sick or has passed away. We are out of employment. It's not hard to find reasons to question God's goodness. Take a moment to describe a time when God's goodness was in question.

We often doubt, because we base God's goodness on what we determine to be good things. God isn't good because He does good things. He is good because He is God. It is so important for us to understand this truth. Goodness is His character. Read Psalm 34:8 and Romans 8:28. What do these verses say about God's goodness?

Take the time to memorize one of these verses today. As you pray, ask God to help you live in light of His perfect goodness.

TUESDAY, Feb. 19

Have you ever known someone who couldn't help but do good things? Goodness seemed to flow from his character. Several years ago when I lived in another city, I had a friend named Andy who was the ultimate picture of this. It seemed Andy's first thought was to express kindness. This was a result of Andy's heart. His actions flowed out of his character. Yesterday, we looked at goodness as the perfect character of God. He can't help but be good. Throughout the rest of the week, we will look at a few examples of how God's goodness flows from who He is. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3. According to this verse, how is God's goodness expressed?

Describe a time when God has expressed compassion to you?

What should we do in light of this expression of goodness?

Today, write a prayer thanking God for His compassion. Pray also that God would use you to express compassion to those around you.

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20

We will continue today to look at the expressions of God's goodness. To get our thoughts going, consider this question. Have you ever been in a situation where your kindness was ignored? Maybe you lost hope that anyone would ever respond to the good things you were doing. Read 2 Peter 3:8-9. How is God's goodness expressed in these verses?

According to these verses, what are the results of God's patience with us?

Even though God is patient, describe some ways we might "test" His patience.

Today's prayer is two-fold. First, take time to thank God for His patience and desire to save us. Secondly, pray a prayer of repentance. What is God still waiting for in you? Is there an area of your life that needs repentance? He is patient and waiting.

THURSDAY, Feb. 21

Hopefully, God is expanding our understanding of His goodness. By way of review today, let us remember that God is perfectly good. It is His character. The good things He does flow directly from who He is. Today we will look at God's provision for us as a result of His goodness. Write down God's provision expressed in each of these passages:

Psalm 84:11

James 1:5

2 Peter 1:3

Matthew 7:9-11

God provides for us because of His great goodness. Continue your list of God's provision by writing down specific ways God has provided for you. As you pray, thank God for all He has given you.

FRIDAY, Feb. 22

Yesterday, we looked at God's goodness expressed through provision. He is faithful to give us what we need. Today, the tables are turned. Read 1 John 1:9. What is the result of God's goodness in this verse?

Yesterday, we listed what God has given us. Today's passage points to what God takes away. He is a giving and forgiving God. Write down some things for which God has forgiven you. From what impurities has He cleansed you?

Review the previous days. Thank God for His goodness. Thank Him for expressing that goodness to you. Pray also that your heart would be ready to receive His word as we worship together on Sunday.

Brian Hogan
Worship and Creative Arts Pastor

Wheaton Bible Church
410 North Cross Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
630.260.1600
www.wheatonbible.org