18 December Joshua 4

Remember the goodness of God

Joshua 4:21–22(ESV) And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’

As we remember and reflect on God’s goodness, our current worries, fears, and anxieties fade into the background. God doesn’t necessarily remove them; He gives us an eternal perspective with which to view them. Remembering the goodness of God builds our faith in God. If He could do miracles in the past, He can do it again today. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. In difficult situations, we can easily forget what God has done for us. Take a moment today to remember the goodness of God and plough that same goodness of God into your life today.

Psalm 77:11-12(ESV) I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Psalm 103:2(KJV) Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

Bethel Music published a song in 2019, Goodness of God. The lyrics beautifully describes the goodness of God:

I love You, Lord

For Your mercy never fails me

All my days, I've been held in Your hands

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice

You have led me through the fire

In the darkest night

You are close like no other

I've known You as a Father

I've known You as a Friend

And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

And all my life You have been faithful (oh)

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God (yeah)

'Cause Your goodness is running after

It's running after me

Your goodness is running after

It's running after me

With my life laid down

I'm surrendered now

I give You everything

'Cause Your goodness is running after

It's running after me (oh-oh)

'Cause Your goodness is running after

It's running after me

Your goodness is running after

It's running after me

With my life laid down

I'm surrendered now

I give You everything

'Cause Your goodness is running after

It keeps running after me

And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God

(I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna sing)

'Cause all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God

Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God

Think about what God has done for you. Psalm 77:12(ESV) I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Psalm 145:5-7(NIV) They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty - and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works - and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

*Thank God for what He has done for you.* Psalm 9:1(ESV) I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

*Share with your children the goodness of God.* Joshua 4:21–22(ESV) And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’

*Taste and see that God is good.* Psalm 34:8(NIV) Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Remembering God’s goodness moves us to respond with hope rather than fear, knowing that God will do it again.

As we stand on the promises of God and look back at His faithfulness, we find strength for today and hope for tomorrow. The memorial stones by the Jordan were not just a historical marker—they were a faith builder for generations to come. Similarly, when we recall what God has done in our own lives, we are reminded that His goodness is not a thing of the past—it is a present reality and a future certainty.

Let us never forget: the God who brought us through yesterday is the same God who walks with us today and leads us into tomorrow. His goodness is running after us, not because we deserve it, but because He is faithful, loving, and true.

Keep your heart anchored in His goodness. Reflect on it. Talk about it. Sing about it. Pass it on to your children. Let the goodness of God be the song that carries you, the strength that sustains you, and the testimony that points others to Him.

You have lived in the goodness of God—now walk boldly forward, knowing that His goodness will never fail.