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God is Good

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 20, 1866

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 27, No. 12.

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God is Good.

By John Matteson

"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence."
The goodness of God is manifested in all his works. Every rising sun, each twinkling star, each rippling brook declares his goodness. Fertile valleys and useful rivers, fruitful trees and blooming flowers, skipping lambs and singing birds, declare with one accord, God is good. Out of darkness he called light, order out of disorder.
But to his poor, erring, fallen creatures he has manifested his goodness still more gloriously in giving his only begotten Son. For this reason his gracious call is extended to us. Through Christ hath God chosen the foolish, and the weak, and the base, and despised ones to become heirs of glory.
This thought is very precious to me at present. Also to me, God is good. If all around me could testify to the goodness of God, but I felt nothing of it for myself, it would only increase my misery. Such was my sad condition only a little more than seven years ago. I had been very wicked. I was well acquainted with the principles of religion as a theory, but Satan led me captive at his will. Then I read the word of God. The Spirit blessed. The law slew me. Christ spake pardon. I refused to serve Satan any longer, and determined to serve Christ. Then things looked brighter, and the star of hope smiled kindly to the poor pilgrim. I cried to God in my distress, and he heard me. How good is the Lord, and his mercy endureth forever.
The Lord is good, oh, let me tell of his loving kindness. But I—how unthankful I have been! How often murmured! I have sinned grievously against him again and again. With shame I confess it. Still I did not love sin. I yearned to be delivered from it, but the foes within would betray me. I wept, I prayed for years, Lord, deliver me from sin, prepare me for thy coming and kingdom; let me be poor, sick, despised, forsaken, but give me a place in thy kingdom. Lord! I cannot let thee go till thou blessest me. Thus I still pray. And Jesus looks more lovely now than ever. Faith views him with delight. Before the ark he pleads. There is my name with the rest upon the breastplate of his high-priestly garment, very near his heart. Through Jesus we are reconciled to the Father. Jesus loves us. Oh, how he loves. Soon Jesus comes. Then he will say, "Pilgrim, lay down thy staff. Child come home. Inherit the kingdom. From Satan's malice thou art free. Thou hast gained the victory. Put on the crown."
I have been poor, but when I had no cent in my pocket, and knew not where to get food or clothes, the Lord cared kindly for me. I was poor, endeavoring to prepare myself to promote his cause. But when I had shared my morsel with others, others shared with me. I was a wayward child, but the Lord has mercifully brought us through the school of affliction, and does so still, for which I praise him. His rod is not too severe, the cross he gives, not too heavy. It is just right. I have ruined my constitution by transgressing the laws of nature. I have worked with my hands and brain until I was as helpless as a child; I have suffered pain and sickness; but the Lord has led me through all in tenderest mercy. Through obedience I am recovering. Praise his holy name. God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
About two years and a half ago I embraced the third angel's message. Since then I have seen brighter days. Not that I have received silver or gold. No, I still continue my life of trust in God. But Jesus has revealed himself more powerfully, more graciously through "present truth." And even this I consider as a kind answer to the first prayer I ever uttered. What if we should pray twenty years for one and the same thing? Heaven is cheap enough. I sometimes feel sad when I meet others who have been brought up with pious parents, while my lot was cast among the vile and wicked. It seems almost like converting angels instead of devils. When they know no temptation, I must struggle hard. But the goodness of God is enough for all, even the chief of sinners.
It has also done me good to become acquainted with a people who love God and one another. The first who spoke to me about the third angel's message, said meekly and kindly, "If we, as a people, have not more love, and truth, and union than other denominations, I do not want you to join us." This was a good argument, and I liked the man, although I did not believe his doctrine then. Now I know some dear souls whom I love, and who love me. This does my poor heart good, and strengthens me in the struggle. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren."
May we as a people continue to love one another. May our hearts and hands be joined together. Lord, thou hast been good to us, though we deserve it not. Oh, help us now more than ever to trust in thy goodness. Help us to get "the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name." May we have part in the first resurrection, and dwell with the King in his kingdom, there to praise his goodness and loving kindness for ever. Amen.
JOHN MATTESON.
January, 1866.