Goodness All Around Us

November 13, 2026

Words That Shape Us Series

Over the next couple of weeks we'll explore biblical words and ideas.

Words matter. A single word can open a window into God's character, deepen our understanding of Scripture, and help us see our lives through the lens of faith. Some biblical words are familiar. Others are less common, carrying meanings that don't fit neatly into a single English translation. Yet each one reveals something beautiful about God and His work in our lives.

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Opening Prayer

"Lord, thank You for the gift of Your scriptures. As we read today, please give us ears to hear what You are saying and hearts ready to receive it. Remove any distractions and fill our minds with Your truth. May Your Word transform the way we think and live. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:31 

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”

Reflection

Today's Word: Tov     

There is something beautiful about the way the Bible begins. In Genesis 1, as God creates the heavens and the earth, He repeatedly pauses to look at what He has made. And each time, He declares that it is good. Then, when creation is complete, He looks over everything and declares it very good.

The Hebrew word for good is tov. But tov means more than simply being nice, pleasant, or acceptable. It carries the idea of something beautiful, beneficial, wholesome, and life-giving. God's creation was good because it reflected His wisdom, His creativity, and His generous heart.

It’s worth remembering that even before sin, brokenness, disappointment or suffering came along, there was goodness. Creation started by showing off God’s goodness. The emptiness and void just couldn’t handle it. 

Our world has changed from God’s original plan. We see broken relationships, sickness, injustice, conflict, and disappointment. Sometimes our lives are filled with difficult moments. It’s easy to focus on the negative and forget the positive.

Even though our world is not as God intended, even in a broken world such as ours, God's goodness has not disappeared.

We see it in the laughter of a child, the kindness of a friend, a meal shared around the table, or a simple word of encouragement when we need it most. We see it in forgiveness offered, relationships restored, and unexpected reminders that we are not alone.

Ultimately, we see God’s goodness most clearly in Jesus. As we noted yesterday, in Jesus, God’s goodness took on flesh and came to live among us. (John 1:14) Jesus demonstrates the heart of a God who loves, forgives, restores and gives life. God's work of restoration in the world is witnessed now, and not fully yet. However, glimpses of God's goodness does abound.

I wonder if perhaps one of the spiritual challenges of everyday living for us is learning to notice the tov of God. Gratitude begins when we stop taking the good things in life for granted and start recognizing them as gifts from our gracious Creator.

Is it possible if we just take a moment to look around, we may discover that God's goodness has been closer than we realized.

Prayer

Gracious God, thank You for Your goodness. Your goodness is woven throughout the story of my life. Forgive me for the times I become so focused on what is wrong that I fail to notice what is right. Open my eyes to the blessings, big and small, that come from Your hand. Help me recognize Your goodness and Your generous heart in all of life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Application

Take a few minutes over the weekend to identify three good things in your life that you might normally take for granted. Then, Thank God for each one.