January 9: The Lord Is Good

Scripture
The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
For the honor of your name, O Lord,
forgive my many, many sins.
Who are those who fear the Lord?
He will show them the path they should choose.
-Psalm 25:8–12 (NLT)

In this psalm, David grounds everything in a simple but life-shaping truth: the Lord is good, and He always does what is right. This becomes the lens through which David understands both God’s character and God’s actions. Whatever the Lord does flows from His goodness. This matters deeply, because how we view God shapes how we trust Him. When we believe He is good, even when circumstances are confusing, we are able to rest in His leading.

David also reminds us that God’s goodness extends to those who have gone astray. The Lord doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up before He guides us. He shows the proper path to wanderers. Yet David is honest about the posture required to receive that guidance. God leads the humble. Direction flows not to those who insist on their own way, but to those willing to admit they need help. Humility invites to instruction.

What makes this invitation even more beautiful is the way God leads. David says the Lord guides with unfailing love and faithfulness. That means we can come to Him honestly, even carrying sin and failure, without fear of rejection. David himself prays, “Forgive my many, many sins.” He knows God’s mercy is there for him. The fear of the Lord David speaks of is not terror, but reverent awe, a deep awareness of who God is and who we are before Him.

C.S. Lewis captured this posture well when he wrote, “Humility is the only rational response to a realization of who God is and who we are.”¹ And yet, this humbling awareness does not crush us. It draws us closer. The God who is holy and mighty also leads with love and faithfulness. Over and over again, He reminds us that He desires what is best for us and delights in showing us the way we should go.

Reflection
1. How does remembering that the Lord is always good shape the way you interpret what He is doing in your life right now?

2. Where might God be inviting you to walk more humbly so that you can receive His guidance more fully?

3. What does a healthy, awe-filled fear of the Lord look like in your daily walk with Him?

Prayer
Thank the Lord for His goodness and for leading with unfailing love. Ask Him to cultivate humility in your heart so you can receive His direction with trust rather than resistance, regardless of what comes your way.

Footnote
¹ C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: HarperOne, 2001), Book III.