When I Think of the Goodness of Jesus

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Remembering God’s faithfulness gives your present fears less authority and God’s proven character more weight. When you look back and recognize how God has sustained, guided, forgiven, and helped you, your faith grows stronger as you face whatever you are facing today.

The widely sung gospel chorus “When I Think of the Goodness of Jesus” captures this movement from remembrance to gratitude and praise. God’s goodness describes His holy and loving character; His faithfulness describes His consistent trustworthiness. Because God is good, He remains worthy of worship. Because He is faithful, you can trust Him even when you are still waiting for answers. Psalm 103:1-5, Luke 17:11-19, and Titus 3:4-7 reveal why remembering matters. Together, these passages encourage you to recall God’s benefits, return to Him with gratitude, and rest in the greatest evidence of His faithfulness: salvation through Jesus Christ.

Key Points

Remembering God’s past faithfulness can strengthen your faith and help you view present circumstances through the lens of who God is.
Psalm 103 encourages believers to intentionally remember God’s forgiveness, mercy, healing, redemption, and steadfast love.
Luke 17 shows the importance of returning to thank God after He answers prayer rather than quickly moving on to the next need.
God’s greatest evidence of faithfulness is salvation through Jesus, a gift of grace and mercy that cannot be earned.
Looking back at answered prayers, remembering how God sustained you while you waited, and sharing those stories can give you courage to trust Him with what comes next.

Remembering God’s Faithfulness Strengthens Your Faith

Psalm 103 shows that remembering God’s benefits is an intentional spiritual practice, not something we should leave to chance. Psalm 103:1-5 describes David speaking to his own soul. He tells himself to bless the Lord and not forget all his benefits. David then names several ways God is faithful: God forgives sin, brings healing, redeems, shows steadfast love and compassion, and satisfies his people with good things.

This passage shows that you sometimes have to remind yourself about God’s faithfulness. Like all people, you may sometimes be quick to focus on what you’re still waiting for and slow to remember how God has already answered your prayers. Psalm 103 invites you to reflect on how God has faithfully poured blessings into your life. Your problems are real, but so is God’s mercy. Your unanswered questions are real, but so are the prayers God has already answered.

“Christian quote declaring that the God who was faithful before remains faithful today”

Remembering God’s Goodness Should Lead to Gratitude

Luke 17 shows that receiving a gift from God and returning to thank Him are not always the same response. Luke 17:11-19 offers another important lesson on remembering God’s goodness. It describes how 10 men with leprosy encounter Jesus and cry out for mercy. Jesus tells them to go and show themselves to the priests, and as they go, they’re healed. All 10 received an extraordinary gift from Jesus, but only one came back to thank him. The man who returned fell at Jesus’ feet and gave thanks. His response shows us that expressing gratitude for our blessings is important. You can make the same mistake as the nine men who didn’t return to thank Jesus. Especially when you’re busy, you may move on without thanking God after he answers a prayer for you.

The story in Luke reminds you to come back to thank God after he answers a prayer. An answered prayer is more than just something inspiring that happened in the past. It can become a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness in the present, as well.

Salvation Is the Greatest Evidence of God’s Faithfulness

God’s faithfulness is revealed most clearly in the salvation He offers through Jesus, not merely in favorable circumstances. Titus 3:4-7 highlights the most important reason for remembering God’s faithfulness: the kindness and love God showed by saving you through Jesus. It explains that God saved people because of his mercy, not because anyone had earned salvation through their own good works. That’s the foundation underneath every other reason you have to praise God. You probably have many stories of God answering your prayers that come to you when you think about God’s goodness. Those stories matter. But the greatest gift God has given you is salvation through Jesus Christ.

Titus reminds you that God’s kindness comes through Christ and that salvation comes through God’s mercy. You don’t have to earn God’s love by becoming good enough. You receive God’s grace as a gift. That gives you something solid to hold on to when you’re facing uncertain circumstances. Sometimes God answers your prayers exactly as you hoped. Sometimes God answers differently, or you have to wait much longer than you expected. But God’s faithfulness doesn’t depend on every situation turning out the way you planned. No matter what happens, Jesus is still your Savior. God’s grace and mercy are still available to you. So, when you think about the goodness of Jesus, you’re doing much more than just remembering the good things that have happened to you. You’re actually remembering how Jesus has given you the ultimate gift – salvation – which is something you could never earn for yourself.

3 Questions to Help You Remember God’s Goodness

Use these questions to trace God’s care through answered prayers, seasons of waiting, unexpected provision, and spiritual growth. One simple way to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness is to look back at the prayers you’ve prayed. You might keep a journal, make a list, or spend a few minutes in prayer remembering what God has done and thanking him for it.

What have I prayed about that God has already answered?
Think broadly. Reflect not only on the major prayers God has answered for you lately, but also on the small yet significant ways God has worked to help you day by day. Remember the people God brought into your life, the doors God opened, the wisdom God gave you when you needed guidance and inspiration, and the strength God gave you when you felt weak.
How did God sustain me while I was waiting?
The actual answers to your prayers aren’t the only evidence of God’s faithfulness. Think about the encouragement you received and the peace God gave you while you waited. God’s presence with you is also part of his goodness.
How can I thank God for what he has done?
Do more than remember privately. Thank God specifically. Then tell someone else what God has done, or write down the story so you can return to it when you’re discouraged. Let your testimony become a reminder of God’s faithfulness for someone else.

Remember God’s Faithfulness When You Need Courage Today

Looking back at God’s faithfulness is meant to strengthen your trust and obedience in the present. The message behind “When I Think of the Goodness of Jesus” is simple but powerful: remembering God’s goodness can inspire you to move closer to God through gratitude and worship. Psalm 103 encourages you not to forget God’s benefits. Luke 17 shows you the importance of thanking God for what he has done for you. Titus 3 reminds you that God’s greatest gift is salvation through Jesus.

Together, these passages give you a pattern you can use every day: look back, remember what God has done, give thanks for God’s mercy, and trust God with what comes next. You may still be waiting for God to answer some of your prayers. You also may be facing challenges right now that you don’t understand. But God has already shown you his faithfulness. Above all, God has shown his wonderful love through Jesus, your Savior. So, when you feel discouraged or when you’re waiting, remember God’s goodness and faithfulness. When you receive an answer to prayer, remember to come back and give thanks to God.

The same God who has been faithful before is still faithful today!

A Prayer to Remember God’s Faithfulness

Pray for God to help you notice, record, and give thanks for the ways He has faithfully worked in your life.

Dear God,
Thank you for your goodness and your faithfulness. Help me remember the ways you’ve answered my prayers and carried me through challenging circumstances. When I focus on what I still need, remind me of what you’ve already done for me. Help me grow in gratitude and remember to thank you regularly for the work you’re doing in my life. Most of all, help me rest in the ultimate gift of salvation you’ve given me. When I'm discouraged or waiting, help me trust you by remembering your good and faithful work in my life. Thank you, God.
Amen.

Write Down the Scriptures That Remind You God Is Faithful

This seasonal Scripture-writing challenge explores trusting God through change, finding courage when fear rises, and cultivating gratitude for His goodness.

Download the Fall 2026 Scripture Writing Challenge and begin building a written record of the truths that help you remember God’s faithfulness.

Frequently Asked Questions about God’s Faithfulness

Why does the Bible tell us to remember what God has done?
Biblical remembrance is more than recalling pleasant memories. It brings the truth of God’s character into the present so that you can respond with gratitude, trust, worship, and obedience. Remembering what God has done helps prevent temporary circumstances from defining your beliefs about Him.
How can I remember God’s faithfulness while I am still waiting?
Write down ways God has sustained you during the waiting, not only final answers to prayer. Record the strength, wisdom, encouragement, provision, and peace He has given along the way. God’s presence during an unresolved season is also evidence of His faithfulness.
Does God’s faithfulness mean He will answer prayers the way I want?
No. God’s faithfulness means He remains true to His character, Word, and redemptive purposes. He may answer differently than you hoped or on a timeline you would not have chosen. You can bring your disappointment to Him honestly while continuing to trust His wisdom and love.
How do I start a record of answered prayers?
Write the date, your prayer request, a relevant Scripture, and any developments you notice. Leave space to record how the prayer was answered or how God changed and sustained you while you waited. Reviewing those entries can help you recognize patterns of God’s care.
What is the greatest proof of God’s faithfulness?
The clearest evidence is God’s saving work through Jesus Christ. Circumstances change, and some questions remain unanswered, but Christ’s death and resurrection reveal God’s mercy, love, and commitment to redeem everyone who places faith in Him.

For Further Reading

Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com and on her Facebook author page.