Jesus healed the sick, delivered the oppressed, multiplied loaves and fishes, stopped the storm. He declared, “I have come that [you] may have life, and that [you] may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). He said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). His death on the cross was pure mercy. His suffering paid for our sins. We receive forgiveness instead of punishment because of His mercy.

Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). We know God is good and merciful because Jesus was full of mercy and goodness. You can have confidence and faith in God’s promises to be performed in you when you are settled upon the truth of His goodness and mercy.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). God does not change His character in any way. He gives good gifts and He never varies.

Remember, there is a devil in the world. The fall of man opened the door to a curse on the earth. Humans have freedom of choice. Sin has its own consequences. Bad things come from many causes. Don’t blame God for bad things. He is for you. He wants the best for you.

Why Psalm 23 Is the Best-Known Psalm

Psalm 23 is a personalized confession of God’s goodness and mercy. God performs what we believe and speak of His mercy and goodness. Millions have quoted this psalm because it contains the gospel truth of God’s mercy and goodness. People begin to experience its reality as they declare it.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I challenge you this year to daily declare your thanksgiving, for the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever.