The Overflowing Kindness: Declaring the Wonders of God

When the Goodness of God Invades Our Story

"The memory of Your immense goodness will overflow from the heart, and with shouts of joy, they will proclaim Your justice." — Psalms 145:7

I vividly remember a dark period in my life when circumstances seemed to conspire against me. Unemployment, mounting bills, strained relationships. I prayed, but the silence felt deafening. Until one ordinary Tuesday, I received an unexpected call: a job opportunity that made no sense on paper but completely transformed my trajectory. It was not just a job — it was the hand of God rewriting my story with His unmistakable goodness.

Perhaps you have experienced something similar. That moment when God appears so tangibly that you can't help but smile, even with tears streaming down your face. Have you stopped to reflect on the goodness of God in your life? What does it mean for you today?

Psalm 145 invites us to do just that: it overflows with gratitude, celebrating the divine goodness that cannot be contained in our hearts but must be declared, shared, shouted from the rooftops.

A Psalm Born from a Life Lived with God

When David wrote Psalm 145, he was no longer the young shepherd who faced Goliath with a sling. This is considered one of the last psalms he composed — a mature man, marked by victories and failures, by moments of glory and deep shame. And yet, or perhaps precisely because of this, he chooses to celebrate the goodness of God.

This psalm is technically a Hebrew acrostic, where each verse begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It was a mnemonic device, making memorization easier. But there is something deeper here: David wanted future generations to never forget these truths.

The context is crucial. David knew the goodness of God not only in moments of triumph — when he was anointed king, when he won battles, when he consolidated his kingdom. He also knew it in the dark valleys: fleeing from Saul, losing a child, facing family rebellions. The goodness of God he proclaims is not naivety or toxic positivity. It is a testimony forged in the fire of real life.

In verse 7, David uses a powerful image: the memory of God's goodness overflows. The original Hebrew word suggests a bubbling spring, water that cannot be contained. It is not something controlled or rationed — it is abundance that naturally spills over.

The Goodness that Changes Everything

The goodness of God is different from any human goodness we know. It is not temperamental, dependent on our performance, or conditioned by our worthiness. It is the essence of God's very character.

Think of a faucet. When you turn it on, water flows not because the faucet produces water, but because it is connected to a source. Similarly, the goodness of God is not a response to our actions — it is who He is. Romans 2:4 reminds us that it is precisely "the kindness of God" that leads us to repentance. It is not the fear of punishment, but the transformative experience of His unmerited goodness.

When David speaks of "declaring" this goodness, he uses a term that implies telling in detail, narrating with specificity. These are not vague generalities like "God is good." It is witnessing: "On that day, when everything seemed lost, God did this... and that... and the other."

The Justice Worth Celebrating

The verse continues with something fascinating: we not only declare goodness, but we joyfully announce the justice of God. For many, justice evokes fear, judgment, consequences. But here, David associates it with joy, with shouts of gladness.

Why? Because God's justice is not arbitrary or cruel — it is the perfect expression of His nature. In a world full of injustices, where the powerful oppress the weak and evil seems to triumph, knowing that there is a perfectly just God is a reason for genuine celebration.

Micah 6:8 beautifully summarizes: practice justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God. These three elements do not compete with each other — they complement each other, forming a lifestyle that reflects the divine character itself.

How have you experienced the justice of God — not as punishment, but as restoration and divine order in your life?

Living as Witnesses of Goodness

Knowing the goodness of God is just the first step. David makes it clear that there is an inherent responsibility: to share, declare, announce. Not out of religious obligation, but because what overflows naturally spreads.

Allow me to share the story of Ana, a sister from the church where I congregate. After losing her job during the pandemic, she started a simple journal where she noted daily a manifestation of God's goodness — no matter how small. At first, it was difficult. "I woke up today" seemed trivial. But over time, her eyes were trained to see: a friend's call at the right moment, an unexpected discount at the supermarket, peace amid uncertainty.

Six months later, that journal became her greatest treasure. And when she finally got a new job, she didn't just thank God in silence — she shared page by page of that journal with her Bible study group. Many cried. Some started their own journals. The goodness of God overflowed from one heart to many.

Five Practical Ways to Declare the Goodness of God

1. Cultivate a Specific Gratitude Journal

Don't settle for generalities. Instead of writing "God was good," record: "Today, when I was anxious about the meeting, God gave me peace through the words of Philippians 4:6-7 that I read in the morning." Specificity feeds memory, and memory feeds faith.

2. Make Testimony Part of Your Natural Conversations

When someone asks "how are you?", consider sharing authentically — including how God has been at work. Not as forced preaching, but as a genuine part of your life narrative. "I'm doing well, you know? I had a tough week, but God has been incredibly faithful..."

3. Practice Acts of Kindness in Response

The goodness of God should not end with us — it should flow through us. When you experience provision, look for opportunities to provide for others. When you receive comfort, comfort someone. Our generosity is the overflow of divine generosity.

4. Develop an Intentional Practice of Praise

Psalm 100:5 reminds us: "the Lord is good; His kindness endures forever." Create daily moments — even if brief — to specifically praise God for His goodness. It can be through music, spoken prayer, or even dance. David certainly did not hold back in expressing joy!

5. Teach Future Generations

If you have children, nieces, or access to kids, do as David did: ensure they know the stories of God's faithfulness. At bedtime, instead of just fairy tales, share "faith stories" — real moments where God acted in your family. Create a collective memory of goodness.

Connections that Strengthen Our Faith

Psalm 145:7 does not exist in isolation. It connects with a rich tapestry of biblical truths that reinforce this message.

Psalm 34:8 invites us: "Taste and see that the Lord is good." It is not just believing theoretically — it is experiencing personally. The word "taste" implies direct involvement, sensory experience. God wants you to experience His goodness, not just hear about it.

And when we experience, something changes in us. We taste, we see, and then we become witnesses. Like the blind man healed in John 9, who, under all religious pressure, simply declared: "One thing I know: I was blind and now I see." A simple but irrefutable testimony.

What have you "tasted" of God's goodness that no one can take away from you?

When the Overflow Seems Impossible

It would be dishonest not to acknowledge: there are moments when speaking of goodness seems impossible. When the pain is recent, when the loss is deep, when circumstances are overwhelming. And that’s okay.

David also knew these moments. Many of his psalms are honest laments, cries of anguish. But notice the pattern: even in laments, he often ends by reaffirming God's character. Not because he ignores the pain, but because he chooses to look beyond it.

Remembering God's goodness does not mean denying the reality of suffering. It means anchoring our hope in something greater than our present circumstances. It is saying: "Today is dark, but I know God's faithfulness in my past mornings, and that gives me courage to face this night."

Perhaps you are in one of those moments right now. Allow yourself to lament. But while you lament, do not abandon the memory. Go back to the previous pages of your story with God. Reread your gratitude journal. Talk to that friend who witnessed God's faithfulness in your life before. Let the memory of past goodness feed hope for the future.

The Invitation to Overflow

When water overflows from a cup, it does not ask for permission. It simply overflows because there is no space to contain it. So should be our response to the goodness of God.

David wrote this psalm not just as a poetic exercise, but as a generational invitation. He wanted his children to sing these truths. For his grandchildren to memorize them. For you and me, thousands of years later, to continue declaring: the Lord is good, His goodness overflows, His justice deserves celebration.

So, my friend, here is my invitation to you: start today. Grab a piece of paper, open a digital document, or simply close your eyes and reflect. Where have you seen the goodness of God recently? How has He been faithful in your story?

And then, do not keep it to yourself. Share with someone. Call that friend who is feeling down. Write a message to that person who needs hope. Tell your family around the table. Post on social media if you feel free.

Let the memory of God's goodness overflow from you. And when it overflows, you will discover something wonderful: the more you declare His goodness, the more you see it. The more you joyfully announce His justice, the more joyful you become.

This is not just theology — it is life transformed by an encounter with a good God.

May today be the day when your mouth opens to declare what your heart already knows: the Lord is good, and His goodness overflows upon you.