The Goodness of God in the Last Days
Photo by Emmanuel Phaeton on Unsplash
Several months ago, I had a “God moment,” which sent tingles down my spine. I was driving while my Pandora was playing Cece Winans’ “The Goodness of God.” In the middle of the song, a friend called, pausing it. He was talking about his work situation, which we had been praying over, and how God had miraculously taken care of it, leaving him in a wonderful place. We rejoiced together and then prayed again, thanking God for His goodness as I continued driving with my eyes open. We both hung up, and the song “The Goodness of God” continued as our praises still echoed in my heart. That phone call could not have been more perfectly timed, right in the middle of the song.
In the last days, God is seeking to get people’s attention. How does He do this?
But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David’s descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the Lord and of his goodness. Hosea 3:5 NLT
God does not seek to make men tremble in awe of fire and brimstone preaching, but rather at His goodness. As God’s last-day people, we need to make note of this, especially as we prepare people for the soon-coming of Jesus.
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 NLT
So how do we lead people to repent in preparation for Jesus’ soon coming?
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4 NLT
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4 MKJV
It is the kindness and goodness of God that will lead people to repentance and preparation for the second coming in the last days.
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.1 John 4:12 NLT
It is up to God’s people to express to the world the true character of God, which is why all of our Bible teachings are rooted in the light of the cross.
The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption,—the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers.-Ellen White, Gospel Workers, Page 315.
The goodness of God and the light of the cross must be seen in God’s people, not only while giving a formal discourse or sermon, but in all of our dealings with others.
It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth…;
The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. –Ellen White, Chirst Object Lessons, Page 415.
As God’s last day people, it is our sacred duty and honor to make sure that in every sermon we preach, in every errand we run for our neighbor, in each and every task we complete, the world will see the goodness of God that will lead them to repentance and preparation for Jesus’ soon coming.
