Psalm 34:8 (NLT) Taste and see that the Lord is good. God is good by , not just by description. Genesis 1:31 (NLT) Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! Mark 10:18 (NLT) “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good.” Romans 8:28 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Psalm 34:10 (NLT) Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. “…he is not first God, and then afterwards good; but he is good as he is God, his essence, being one and the same, is formally and equally God and good.” ~ Stephen Charnock, Puritan Author God’s goodness can be , not just noticed. Psalm 34:8 (NLT) Taste and see that the Lord is good. God’s goodness is . Psalm 34:17–19,22 (NLT) 17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. 22 No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. God’s goodness is expressed most in Jesus. John 3:16 (NLT) “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” What now? Let God help you to taste & see how good He is. Repeat the goodness pattern. Focus on your gratitude attitude. CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION 1. Has there ever been a time when it was hard to believe God is good? 2. In what way(s) have you been able to “taste & see” that God is good? 3. Why do you think most people misunderstand human discomfort, suffering & hardship to mean God CANNOT be good? 4. Can you describe how much your “gratitude attitude” has grown since learning that God’s goodness is expressed most vividly in giving us Jesus?