Goodness Is More Powerful

# Goodness More Powerful

"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you." - Psalm 31:19

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21

"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you." - Psalm 89:14

There is a story that teaches how "goodness" has the power to transform an evil heart. It is told that "a journalist once covered the presidential campaign of William McKinley. The reporter had written nothing but fierce opposition to McKinley, so much so that he followed McKinley closely on the train McKinley was traveling on, with the purpose of digging up bad things he could find about McKinley to send details to his newspaper. At first the reporter did this, and McKinley knew about it clearly, but he did not oppose it. One bitterly cold evening, the reporter fell into a deep sleep and huddled on the train car with no heating. Mr. McKinley passed by, saw him, stopped, removed his own overcoat and spread it over the reporter. When the reporter woke up and learned what Mr. McKinley had done, he later gave up his career as a journalist because of Mr. McKinley's forbearance and kindness. The reporter could not slander such a person—one who was great enough to respond to the reporter's excessive criticism with goodness of heart."

This is just like what God's Word teaches: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). In this story, "goodness is more powerful," because it transformed the heart of the journalist from opposing the presidential candidate William McKinley to leaving his career in journalism, because he could not report things contrary to the inner truth of someone with a good heart. The power of "goodness"—compassion, forbearance, and forgiveness—truly can change a person's heart!

Jesus Christ Himself has been and is carrying out this truth. He is truly compassionate, merciful, and forgiving to each of us, who are sinners opposed to Him! The Lord came into the world to die for all our sins, to be crucified on the cross, to suffer death in pain and shame for all mankind! Moreover, He rose again, conquered death, and opened the only way to come to our Heavenly Father in glorious Heaven, forever and ever! "Overcoming evil with good," "repaying evil with mercy," "overcoming ill will with goodness"—this is the most effective truth that Jesus has demonstrated toward us. "How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you" (Psalm 31:19).

In our lives, have we not been harmed by someone, treated badly, spoken badly of, even though we treated them well? When that happens, did we "return blow for blow" or did we "overcome evil with good"? Did we treat the person who harmed us well? Do we live with the compassion and forgiveness that Jesus showed toward us? The Lord always loves and blesses those who obey Him. Let us wholeheartedly and with all our strength carry out this truth: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).

Let us follow the example of Jesus Christ, the One with infinite compassion! God's Word tells us, "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Psalm 103:8); "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him" (Psalm 103:11); "But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children" (Psalm 103:17).

Let us praise our merciful God every day, everywhere, so that those around us may know of the boundless compassion of God. "Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" (Psalm 106:1); "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations" (Psalm 89:1); "Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege" (Psalm 31:21); "Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies" (Psalm 36:5); "How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings" (Psalm 36:7).

Thank God, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you" (Psalm 89:14); He is the One of boundless compassion, forever showing mercy to us! We beseech the Lord to give us strength to live with compassion and mercy, to treat everyone well, even those around us who do not treat us well! May He enable us to live showing His unconditional love to all people, for only God's love can transform a person's heart from evil to good! Oh the glory of our living God, You love us unconditionally so much that You died for all our sins! Oh Your love, eternal, wonderful, and boundless, how unworthy are we! We ask You to help us treat everyone as You have treated us! Amen!

We beseech God's love to flow forever, Affectionate, boundless, filling our hearts, Helping all people, loving everyone, Compassionate, gentle, easily understanding! Sincere sacrifice, giving everything, Zealous, respectful, unwavering in heart, Proclaiming the Gospel across the earth, That people escape from this place of emptiness!

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