Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. Psalm 25:8

God is Good

I know I’ve already written about why God is good, but the complexity of His goodness warrants more than one look at each part of His character. Besides, I have more to learn about each part of His character – so thanks for learning with me (or at least putting up with me).

God instructs

God instructs, but am I a good pupil? Do I always gladly do the practice or homework He’s given me? Am I grateful for the lessons, or am I bitter.

Yesterday my son was frustrated because he had some homework to do, but he didn’t have the words he needed to define, because he was in the bathroom during the time she had them on the board. He missed the instruction. She was instructing, but he left the room. He missed the opportunity to learn from that teacher. Now there was seemingly no way for him to do that work. He’s in a new school and doesn’t have the phone numbers of any kids in his class, and his email for school wasn’t working. Finally he decided to call his teacher. She gave him the words and he gladly got his homework done in time for school.

Am I a good pupil?

How often do I “leave the room” while the Lord is instructing me. I don’t leave because I have to go to the bathroom, but I may leave because I don’t want to learn what He’s teaching me. I don’t want to learn that I need to take better care of my body. That I need to get help for my addiction to food. That I may need some counseling to help me control my temper when helping my boys with their homework. I don’t want to hear that I need improvement. I don’t like to be wrong.

I seek out other people who will tell me what I want to hear – “You look fine”, or “Oh, don’t worry, I get mad at my kids sometimes too”. Or those who will let me get away with “I’m going to start thinking about my weight tomorrow”. Those people have good intentions, but they are not Good like my God is Good. He is Good and upright. Those are His credentials. He is who I should take instruction from and whom I should follow.

What if I am a bad pupil?

I’m not always going to get it right. I’m not going to be perfect. Fortunately this verse promises to instruct us in the way. Jesus says “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” in John 14:6. The Lord instructs me about Jesus. About the one who takes all my short-comings and makes me measure up. He saves me from failing. He takes me to the top of the class so I may one day be with Him in paradise. That’s a lesson I always want to remember!

Are you a good pupil?