26 lines
4.6 KiB
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26 lines
4.6 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">April 19</div></div>
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<h2>Experiencing the Lord's Goodness</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>Oh, <b>taste</b> and <b>see</b> that the <b>LORD</b> is <b>good</b>; <b>Blessed</b> is the man who <b>trusts in Him</b>!</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',34,8);">Psalm 34:8</a>)</div>
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<p>The Scriptures clearly declare that the knowledge of the Lord is for developing a <b>relationship</b>, not merely cataloging correct information about Him. Grace and peace are to be <i>"multiplied to"</i> us (<a onClick="return mV('2Pe',1,2);">2 Peter 1:2</a>), not just memorized by us. <i>"All things that pertain to life and godliness"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Pe',1,3);">2 Peter 1:3</a>) are to be drawn upon for godly living, not merely listed to validate our orthodoxy. As we get to know the Lord, <b>His goodness</b> is to be <b>experienced</b> in our lives.</p>
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<p>Our present verse is quite forthright concerning this point. <i>"Oh, <b>taste</b> and <b>see</b> that the <b>LORD</b> is <b>good</b>."</i> The Lord is good. He is merciful, kind, gracious, and patient. The Scriptures abound with declarations of God's goodness. <i>"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is <b>good</b>! For His <b>mercy</b> endures <b>forever</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',107,1);">Psalm 107:1</a>). This goodness of God is to be <b>experienced</b> by God's people. <i>"My people shall be <b>satisfied</b> with My <b>goodness</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jer',31,14);">Jeremiah 31:14</a>). We are to <i>"<b>taste</b> and <b>see</b>"</i> God's goodness, not only to hear of it and talk about it.</p>
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<p><b>How</b> does a person <b>experience</b> the <b>goodness</b> of the Lord? <i>"<b>Blessed</b> is the man who <b>trusts in Him</b>!"</i> God's goodness is available for our personal experience whenever we <b>trust in Him</b>. <i>"Oh, how <b>great</b> is Your <b>goodness</b>, which You have laid up for those who <b>fear</b> You, which You have prepared for those who <b>trust</b> in You In the presence of the sons of men!"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',31,19);">Psalm 31:19</a>). When we <b>rely</b> upon the Lord, His goodness brings forth <b>peace</b> in our lives. <i>"You will keep him in perfect <b>peace</b>, whose mind is <b>stayed on</b> You, because he <b>trusts in</b> You"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa',26,3);">Isaiah 26:3</a>). When we <b>depend</b> upon the Lord, His goodness brings forth <b>rejoicing</b> in our lives. <i>"Our soul <b>waits for</b> the LORD; He is our <b>help</b> and our <b>shield</b>. For our heart <b>shall rejoice</b> in Him, Because we have <b>trusted in</b> His holy name"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',33,20,21);">Psalm 33:20-21</a>).</p>
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<p>It should not be surprising to us that <b>faith</b> in the <b>Lord</b> is the <b>pathway</b> to <b>experiencing</b> His <b>goodness</b>. We have noted in a number of these meditations that faith is one of the relational realities that allows a child of God to live by His grace. Faith accesses grace (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',5,2);">Romans 5:2</a>). <i>"The LORD is <b>good</b> to those who <b>wait</b> for Him, to the soul who <b>seeks</b> Him"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Lam',3,25);">Lamentations 3:25</a>).</p>
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<p>We trust in the Lord the more we get acquainted with Him. We trust in the Lord the more we seek Him to demonstrate His faithfulness. <i>"And those who <b>know</b> Your <b>name</b> will put their <b>trust</b> in You; For You, LORD, have <b>not</b> forsaken those who <b>seek</b> You"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',9,10);">Psalm 9:10</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord, You are so good! Too often I fail to experience Your goodness, because I do not trust in You. Forgive me, Lord. I long to taste of Your goodness. Teach me to live in dependence upon You, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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