No sunrays are so beautiful as those which pierce the storm clouds — thrust like a golden sword through writhing blackness.
Our text verse 19 of PSALM 31 stands out against a changing back-ground of discouragement.
Rising from the fitful storm, the writer cries, “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you!” Apparently, he has been in deep, personal struggles. “Worn out in mind and body, despised, defamed, and persecuted, the Psalmist casts himself upon God” — as one commentator describes the situation.
Now, the goodness of God is just the needed subject of meditation for any Christian today who is experiencing trials. Notice also the kindred terms in the Psalm: “righteousness” 1, “love” 7, “mercy” 22. Other such Bible expressions are “grace”, “tender mercies”, and even the holiness and judgments of God are precious to the child of God.
I. THE MEASURE OF GOD’S GOODNESS
Little wonder an exclamation point is required in this text, “How great is your goodness!”
How can we fathom it? With what may we compare the immeasurable goodness of God?
Think of the thousands of ways in every-day experience in which we are blessed by a good Lord. Setting out on a journey we bow in prayer asking for protection as we travel. Every moment He watches over us. (Do we always remember to offer thanks at the journey’s end?)
Do you recall when you had that sudden mishap or accident and you gasped for God’s help? With exact, split-second timing He came to aid.
Or perhaps there was a time when your very reputation was about to be stripped from you by the tongues of men, but He hid you from “accusing tongues” just as verse 20 promises.
Were you not once discouraged and burdened, feeling you were virtually cut off from the observation of the Almighty? Then, did He not wondrously bring you out? Read verse 22.
Call to mind those many anxious moments in the home — material needs, difficulties with the children, marital stress. Has He not been good to you? Many of you once called on His Son to be your Savior from sin, and you are now trusting His goodness to take you even to your heavenly home which He is in mercy preparing for you.
“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you!” Verse 19.
II.THE DISPOSITION OF GOD’S GOODNESS
A study of the last part of our text verse 19 will show how God orders and employs His goodness on behalf of His children.
Notice the Hebrew parallelism in our text: “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”
God’s goodness is for those who fear Him and trust in Him. These are not contradictory. They are complementary.
The child whose father is a tyrant jumps each time the man moves. God is not that kind of father. Our fear is a godly reverence and regard, and it does not keep us from wholeheartedly trusting Him. Indeed, the Lord is displeased with the over-timid. Read Hebrews 10:35-39.
Finally, think over the parallel expressions “stored up” and “bestow”. The goodness of God is stored up or hid away for His children. It is the same word as translated “hide” in verse 20. Circumstances may look absolutely impossible, but the secret goodness of God will come to light. Remember Daniel in the den of lions and Joseph in prison. Great goodness is reserved just for each believer. Study also I Corinthians 2:9 and Nahum 1:7.
God is said to work out His goodness before the eyes of the world on behalf of His children. Like Psalm 27:5,6 promises, we shall find God standing openly on our side.
For example, there comes a time when the rich man (sometimes referred to as “Dives”) looks up from the torments of hell and sees the once-poor Lazarus elevated to heaven.
Remember the Hand that created the worlds is the Hand that is ever ready to work on behalf of the faithful Christian. Let the whimper of doubt be changed to the shout of praise. “How great is your goodness!”