Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.  His love endures forever (Psalm 136:1).

He doesn’t have to be.

Good, I mean.

Well, sure, I know that goodness and love are at the very root of God’s character, so you could argue, “Of course he has to be good.  It’s his nature.”

But what if it weren’t?

What if God were all-powerful, but not all-loving?  What if he were great without being good?

A cruel, angry, malicious god would still be God—still deserving of our obedience, our service.

But our love?  How could I love him if he weren’t good?

How could I love him if he didn’t love me first?

Let’s be thankful that we will never need to find out.

Give thanks to the Lord, Beloved.  For he is good.