Seven Ways to Experience the Goodness of God

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty…they will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness…
Psalm 145:5a;7

Have you ever climbed to the top of a mountain? I have. Well, not to the very top, but pretty close in my opinion! A youth group trip I joined one summer in high school traveled to Colorado and hiked the trails of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

After a grueling trek up the winding trails, we finally reached the peak; our final destination on the trail. Our legs burned. We were fatigued and out of breath—but the view of the terrain was absolutely stunning; and worth every agonizing step.

Mountainside views are not only breathtaking and beautiful, but they reveal the splendor and glory of God. The mountain of our spiritual journeys is also a place where we can experience the goodness of God. But what do I mean by goodness?

This word is oftentimes watered down and overused. We describe a boring, ho-hum day as “good”. We talk about someone who is nice or kind as a “good” person. But the goodness of God is much richer, much deeper.

The Hebrew word for good is described as pleasant, excellent, rich, valuable, prosperous, right, kind and beautiful (source). Only one Person is good by these standards—and that is God himself.

Experiencing God’s Goodness on His Holy Mountain

Fortunately for us, God is a generous God, and pours his goodness onto us in abundant quantities. Moses climbed Mount Sinai where he met with God and experienced His majestic splendor and glorious goodness.

But how did Moses experience God’s goodness?
He prayed the most audacious, radical prayer he could muster:
“…show me your glory” (Exodus 33:18).

What would happen if we were to abandon all else, rise to meet with God, and be bold enough to ask God to show us His glory? What would happen?

He would show up.

Listen to God’s response to Moses’ prayer:
“I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence.” (vs. 19)

Can you imagine what it must have been like for Moses to have experienced all of God’s goodness on that mountaintop? What did His glory look like?

The greatness and splendor of God was too wonderful for Moses to see in complete totality–for no human in their fallen state can behold his face on this side of heaven (vs. 20-23).

But what he did see was absolutely incredible.

God caused His goodness to pass by Moses, and He proclaimed his name—the essence of who He is:

God passed in front of Moses proclaiming,
“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished…”
Exodus 34:6-7a

The essence of God’s goodness was revealed to Moses in these seven attributes:
1. Compassion
2. Grace
3. Slowness to anger
4. Abounding love
5. Faithfulness
6. Forgiveness
7. Justice

Experiencing the goodness of God in his glorious splendor must have been a sight beyond human comprehension. Imagine the awe. The wonder. The complete majesty of our great God.

What was Moses’ response to experiencing such goodness?
Worship.

Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. (Exodus 34:8)

Have you had your own “Sinai experience” with God lately? Rise to meet with him every morning. Climb the rocky, arduous mountainside, and behold his mighty power.

Dare to ask the same radical question of Moses:
“Show me your glory.”

His glory includes his goodness. It includes his splendor. It includes his beauty.
Dare to dwell in the presence of God—and experience his goodness like never before.

When Moses came down from the mountain, his face was radiant (Exodus 34:29).
He took a piece of God’s glory with him.

As you bask in the glory of God on the mountain of your spiritual journey, feast on his goodness.
Put on your garments of brilliant splendor, and as you come down from the mountain, let your face radiate his glory and goodness to a watching world below.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6

My prayer is that you will experience God’s goodness today.

Ready to go hiking? I’ll meet you on the mountain!

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