A Reading Plan on God’s Goodness

Almost ten years ago I faced a life changing decision. I had a choice to make. I could continue to be angry at God for my sister’s death, or I could choose to believe in His goodness.

That’s a hard decision when you’re stuck in grief unless you’re tired of being angry with God. As a result of my anger, I felt separated from God. I didn’t like the separation. I had loved the Lord my whole life, but this heartache sent me reeling into doubt, sadness, and disbelief.

Before Christy’s death, I had faith that could move mountains, but I learned that sometimes there’s more to healing than faith. Many factors play a role that we can’t see. Many lives are at stake for all eternity, and God alone knows the big picture.

As I slowly began to crawl out of my shell of pain and deep sadness, I decided one day to raise my hands again to Jesus and dance. When I took this first step I was in Costa Rica with a sweet friend of mine. The view looked much like the picture above, gentle ocean, gorgeous sunsets. I’m pretending that we did too (smile), but I digress.

With my hands lifted, I chose worship. And on that day I remember saying, “Lord, I don’t understand, but I will choose to trust that you are good.”

The Goodness of God Freed Me

As a result of that proclamation healing began. Choosing to trust His goodness, broke the chains of anger and sadness. I was free. My renewed faith in His goodness seared the oozing wound of grief and moved the mountains of anger and distrust.

Ya’ll, trusting His goodness will move mountains.

Trusting His goodness will restore your joy.

That’s not just true for me, it’s biblical. Naomi, in the book of Ruth, experienced the same truth. As she began to see God’s goodness working in their lives, her bitterness began to fade. Everything didn’t change at once. The harvest had just begun. But God was working and providing. Ruth had found favor in Boaz’s field. Protection, food, and a place to work was given. They just had to trust his goodness.

Bible Reading Plan on God’s Goodness

If you find yourself struggling with God, I pray this short 5-day reading plan will help you move toward trusting His goodness. Nothing changes us like this thread of faith. Bad things had happened to Ruth and Naomi, but God was faithful. Below is the full reading plan with prompts for each day. Click the link for the free printable to use during your quiet time. If you are using the Book of Ruth Key-Word Bible study we are on pages 131-138, Day 15. We’re half way through!

Bite of Bread Printable

Ruth 2:21-22

Then Ruth the Moabite said, “He even said to me, ‘Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.’” Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed.”

• How can we relate Boaz’s actions to what God does for us? Write down a time when God did the same for you.

Psalm 107: 1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

• “Good” comes from the Hebrew word “Tob.” The definitions of this word include pleasant, beautiful, excellent, lovely, delightful, joyful, kind, righteous, that which is good, and wisdom. Which one or two of these words jump out to you concerning God? Write a prayer of thanksgiving and praise using these aspects of His “goodness.”

1 Thessalonians 5: 16

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

• Why would it be God’s will for us to always rejoice and be thankful? Could it be because He knows how thankfulness can lift the spirit and focus our eyes on what’s there rather than what’s not? List ten things you are thankful for.

Check out the new improved printable!

1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24 CJB

May the God of shalom make you completely holy — may your entire spirit, soul and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. ²⁴ The one calling you is faithful, and he will do it.

• I love this scripture because I believe it proves the power, goodness, and protection of God for those who trust Him. We may have to work in the fields for a while, gathering the grain, and finishing the work that needs to be done. In the mean time, He is making us holy whole. That’s what shalom means, whole, complete, and peaceful. Write down some ways you’re becoming holy whole and thank Him.

Ruth 2: 23:

So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

• Boaz instructed Ruth to stay with his workers until the harvest was done. Naomi told Ruth this was a good idea. Ruth continued work in the fields during the harvest. What does this verse tell us about her personality? Do you think she was always like this? Give reasons for her change. Write a prayer asking Jesus to help you trust Him and patiently wait for the end of the harvest.

Facebook LIVE Fellowship/Teaching Thursday

Come on over to my Casa Thursday night via Facebook. Just follow me, and camp out on my timeline around 7:30 PM ET Thursday night for more encouragement and deeper study into these scriptures on the reading plan. If you’re not a fan of FB, you can watch later on my YouTube channel. Just click on the link and subscribe to know when I’ve posted a new teaching.

Final Thoughts on His Goodness . . .

The Hebrew word for good is Tob. The definitions I’ve found for this word are:

pleasant, beautiful, excellent, lovely, delightful, joyful, kind . . . .

Key Word Study Bible

Last week we studied God’s chesed kindness. It’s part of what makes Him so good, but He is all of these words. Meditate on the goodness of God by focusing on the definitions above. Oh, my friends, He loves you, and He is oh so, so good. Remember, this faith can move mountains.

Digging Deep,

Andy

PS. Here’s last week’s teaching.