Introduction: We know goodness by the results produced.

Goodness in creation: Everything God created was good. We may still be trying to figure out the goodness in the mosquito, but it is there.

Goodness in a lady is seen in her manicured good looks and natural beauty. In a lady her inner goodness shines forth in radiance.

How can you tell if a cake has goodness? Certainly not in its looks.

Illustration:

One time when we were in Bible College, Kay went out to attend a ladies meeting. I decided I would bake a cake to surprise her. I baked a breakfast coffee cake and it turned out beautiful. When she came home I offered to cut the coffee cake so we could have milk and cake.

There was a problem as I had used baking soda instead of baking powder. I used the right recipe, but the wrong ingredient. The first bite showed the cake was so bitter that we could not eat it. It had to be thrown into the garbage. A cake has goodness when it taste good. You never know its goodness until you eat it.

How do you know land is good? You do not know until test have been conducted on the land for the purpose needed.

Illustration:

In my great-great-grandfather Taylor's day, the Taylor family came from Germany. Land was very cheap in Northern Ohio, so the two brothers chose different large plots of acreage for farming. My great-great-grandfather chose land with trees growing on it. The trees were small, and the trunks not very large around. His brother chose land that could be cleared for planting. The acres my great-great-grandfather chose was on a ridge of limestone that was near the surface of the ground. The trees could never root well so would not grow any larger. The soil could not be plowed because of the rock. For the main part the best he could do was to let cattle roam in the woods to eat foliage. The other farm had rich fertle soil and produced beautiful vegetables and corn, so that brother prospered.

How do we know there is goodness in God? We never know there is goodness in God until we try Him.

I have heard people say, "I don’t believe in God." I have asked them, "Have you ever experienced God?" Usually they answer "No." My question to them is "How do you know God or not know God until you have at least experienced Him? 'Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.'

1. When the Bible Speaks About God's Goodness It Usually Has to do With Moral Qualities.
   1. Although we might discuss God's goodness in some abstract philosophical sense, in Scripture His goodness appears most clearly in His dealings with people. He is not only good in general, but He is good to us:

      Psalm 23:6, "Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life."

      Psalm 73:1, "Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart."

      Ephesians 2:7, "In order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

      Titus 3:4,5 "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy , by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."

      1. Human goodness is modeled after divine goodness (Matthew 5:48, "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.")
      2. For human beings:
         
         1. goodness involves right behavior
            
         2. expresses itself in kindness and other praiseworthy qualities
         
         
         3. includes avoiding evil
         
         
         4. springs from the inner person
      
      
   2. God Is Essentially Good; Not Only Good, But Goodness Itself.
      

      The creature's good is an additional quality, in God it is His essence. He is infinitely good; the creature's good is but a drop, but in God there is an infinite ocean or gathering together of good. He is eternally and immutably good, for He cannot be less good than He is; as there can be no addition made to Him, so no subtraction from Him. (Thos. Manton)



2. How Do We See The Goodness Of God In The Natural Things Around Us?
   

   We See The Goodness Of God In Their Pleasure
   

   1. God is Jehovah Jirah, our Provider.
      
      1. He provided clean air for us to breath.
         
      2. He provided the ability to have all the food we need to eat.
         
      3. He provided the resources to raise animals and fish for eating.
         
      4. He provided us with the extras for our enjoyment: beautiful flowers, magnificent sunsets, the sky full of stars, birds singing, all for our enjoyment.
   
   
   2. God has equipped us with senses to gratify ourselves. Feeling, touching, smelling, and so forth.

You can listen to this message online.