From Pastor's Desk for April 2025

Dear Lighthouse Church:

In John 3:16 (KJV) we are assured that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” In Exodus 13:21-22 (NIV), God demonstrated his goodness to Israel after Pharoah let them go by guiding their way: “ By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

God also directs our lives if we but follow him.

There are many examples of God performing acts of goodness for humankind. Even in the present time God has provided cures for diseases that in the past took lives and crippled children. He continues to advance medical knowledge in ways to produce more abundance, although the challenge is a better distribution of these blessings. There is also general revelation through Scripture in which God reveals his goodness through his actions during nature and history, both in the experience of the biblical writers and in our own. So, everything we know about God's goodness comes from him.

Sometimes a dreadful thing in the long run turns out to be for the best. We are commanded to wait on the justice of God patiently. He will, in his time, reveal the purpose of all that happens to us. God's goodness is not always obvious on the surface, especially when we experience injustice or suffering. But in the end, we shall see that even that injustice and suffering manifests the goodness of God. God’s primary purpose for us in all he does is that we may be redeemed. There is also a saying that when one door is closed another door opens.

The “Goodness of God” is an inspirational well-known song that explains what it means to know the goodness of God. It also ties goodness to faithfulness. It tells us God is with us always in the line: “All my life you have been faithful and so, so good!”

God is good to us even though we sin. 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV) reads: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” In 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV) we are commanded: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

By our own attitudes we may determine our reception by Him. Though the kindness of God is in infinite, overflowing fountain of cordiality, God will not force His attention upon us. If we would be welcomed as the Prodigal was, we must come as the Prodigal came; and we so come, even though the Pharisees and the legalist sulk without, there will be a feast of welcome within with music and dancing as the Father takes His child again to his heart.

One might ask the question whether God’s goodness is restricted only to Christians. God does not do good only to those who obey him. He blesses his people before there is any inclination in their hearts to obey. Blessing begins before time (Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)). And he blesses us in time, not only as a reward for faithfulness (Deuteronomy 4:1(NIV)), but before we are faithful.” God’s blessings are not restricted except for one.

God is good to all creatures and to all people, giving them blessings of his covenant lordship. This is not to say, however, that he gives to all the blessings of salvation in Christ, but what does it mean that God is good to all creatures when some will be saved and others not. Humankind is given a choice to accept Christ and to have free will. Prevenient grace is a gift from God that prepares our souls to receive him. The door is open to everyone; they need only knock. We need to share the Good News of Jesus Christ because God prepares hearts to receive him.

God Bless,

Pastor Eric