A few days ago, Helen and I were returning to Duluth from a trip to Michigan for my grandfather’s funeral.  We were wanting to find some good apples at a roadside stand of some sort, and at the edge of Crossville, Tennessee, we saw a pick-up with boxes of several kinds of apples in someone’s front yard.  We turned around and went back to see if they were good and affordable.

An older lady was the seller, and another older lady was also there buying.  While we were learning about the varieties she had and their prices, I asked if she knew Roy and Sadie Hearn (they had done located work in Crossville years ago).

Immediately she said, “He preached my father’s funeral in 1953.” Then both ladies made comments about their appreciation for their work in the church, in addition to the fact that they had heard that the Hearns have been in failing health.

I was truly amazed that they both knew the Hearns, that their lives had been touched by them almost a half a century ago, and they were still concerned about their well-being.

In a time when it is all too easy—and all too common—for us to leave a trail of hurt and unhappiness, I was moved by the living legacy of this wonderful Christian couple.

Once again, the life of one of my teachers has given me inspiration to keep on the old paths, swerving neither to the right nor to the left.
           Skip Andrews
 

Why is God so good?  Well, He sent His Son, He offers grace, He saves our souls, He answers prayer, He offers heaven,  He loves us so—the song can go on and on.  This simple sentiment has been sung in many ways for many centuries.  The psalm that is open before us this time is one of the great statements of the theme that “God is so good.” 
It begins with the claim “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands” (66:1). It then gives a list of reasons to support the idea that God should be the cause of our joyful noise—SINCE HE IS SO GOOD (66:2-15).  It concludes with the joyful noise of the writer (66:16-20).
The main points of the poem are in verses 2-15:

• His name is so good (66:2).
• All of His works are so good (66:3,4).
• His specific works are so good (66:5-12).
• Therefore, it is so good to worship Him (66:13-15).

Let us now study the four points that we listed earlier.

1. God’s name is so good (66:2).  His name is an honorable one.  The names of other “gods” are full of shame, dishonor, and sin.  God has always been able to easily demonstrate the infinite difference between His name and the myriad of pagan idols.  Due to this, we are to “make His praise glorious.”  Let us not merely praise Him—let us make our praise glorious!  Let us choose all of the appropriate words, phrases, and reverent language that are at our disposal when we praise Him.  Let us do this because HE IS SO GOOD!
2. God’s works are so good (66:3,4).  These verses are “the big picture” of the poem.  That “God is so good” can be seen by stepping back and viewing His overall position in this universe.  All that He does is somehow connected to His goodness.  A person who views this correctly—from any time or any place—will be prompted to exclaim, “GOD IS SO GOOD!”  “They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested’" (Revelation 15:3,4).
3. God’s specific works are so good (66:5-12).  This is the longest section of the outline.  It examines five areas of God’s goodness in view of the “big picture.”  Verse 5 calls us to look at God’s works toward all people.  The author calls these works “terrible.”  Today, we would use the word “awesome.”  It is a word that refers to something (or someone) that creates reverence and the kind of fear that ought to go with reverence.  Verse 6 calls us to look at God’s miraculous works to see more of His goodness.  The specific miracle here is the crossing over on dry ground that took place in the exodus, which resulted in joyful praise to God.  Verse 7 calls us to look at His “power” (strength and might), even over His enemies.  This, too, should cause us to see His goodness.  Verses 8 and 9 call us to see His goodness through the things He does for our souls.  He gives us spiritual life and stability.  He surely deserves our song about His goodness!  Verses 10 through 12 call us to learn of His goodness by meditation upon the things He does to train and strengthen us (including the chastisement He sends as a loving Father).  When God afflicts us, and when He allows us to be afflicted, it is always for our good, for His glory, and for the benefit of those who are still resisting His goodness (Hebrews 12:4-17).  When we accept these things as coming from His goodness, we are made better, and we offer Him praise for His goodness (1 Peter 4).
4. Therefore, the goodness of God leads us to worship (66:13-15).  This section is not only encouraging us to follow His way of worship upon learning more of His goodness, it is also reminding us of the fact that it is God’s goodness that provides us with the proper way to worship!  In the times of our author, true worship included the offerings and sacrifices he mentions in this section.  For us to worship in honor of His goodness, the New Testament must be consulted (John 4: 23,24).

SICK LIST:  Karen Clark is recovering from knee surgery.  Belinda Weekley was in a car accident and is having problems with her back.  Ernest Burnette’s mother is in the hospital in Tennessee.  Rita Pate and Nathan Lanier were ill last week.  Dennis Clark’s father is gravely ill and the Clarks are in West Virginia with him.
COVERED DISH DINNER:  Group 4 will host the fellowship meal planned immediately following morning services Sunday, September 24.
GROUPS:  Group 4 is in charge of the services at Plantation South at 1:30.  Also, please meet up front following evening services for visitation assignments.  Group 2 is in charge of the service at Gwinnett Extended Care at 2:00.
CHILDREN’S CLASS:  5:30 today.
SEEKING THE LOST:  Class will meet Sunday, September 24, at 7:15.
EVENING LADIES’ CLASS:  Monday, September 25, at 7:30.  The class will study Mrs. Job.
LADIES’ CLASS:  Tuesday at 10:00.
 FOR THE RECORD: 
                                 9/3    9/10     9/17 
AM Class                  97     122      122 
AM Worship           137     147      135
PM Worship           118      105       95
Wednesday Class   118      117      124
Contribution        $5227  $7464  $5922
Budget                $6500  $6500  $6500

SIGN-UP SHEET FOR HOUSING:  There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the foyer for those who are willing to keep our guests for the Mission Forum in November.  Please consider this great opportunity and sign up as soon as possible to help us make our plans.