Proverbs 14:19 "God is Good and Righteous"

Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. ~Proverbs 14:19

Evil cannot remain in the presence of the goodness and righteousness of God. His holiness overpowers and overcomes any challenge evil can cause. He is perfect goodness. His ways are always right. His whole being embodies holiness like no other so that His goodness and righteous cannot even be understood by our mere human minds. The Creator creates what is good and righteous; evil distorts that creation but can never change it.

All the adjectives we use to describe someone that is good – superior, excellent, magnificent, marvelous – pale in comparison to the goodness of our Lord. And His righteousness will win out over all opposition.

This passage in Proverbs is not referring to God’s presence or His gates. It’s talking about those who receive Him. We are given the power of the greatest Being of goodness and righteousness to live within us. By the power of His presence in our lives, we can overcome evil with His goodness.

Further Thoughts:

1. In spite of the evil in the world, what examples of God’s goodness and righteousness do we see every day?
2. Why do some people have trouble viewing God as good?
3. How does knowing that God’s goodness and righteousness live within us change the way we face the challenges of each day?

Holy Father, Your presence empowers me to face any challenge the enemy may throw at me. Thank You for overcoming evil with Your goodness and righteousness. My life has hope. Amen.