"Good works" largely depend on the object worshipped and whose glory the works are intended to serve. Since all men participate in the great exchange, where the glory of man is sought out over the glory of God, then "good works" are evident to the extent they promote the glory of man. This dynamic helps explain why there is such a disconnect between the Biblical basis of good works (the glory of God) and a secular foundation of good works (the glory of man). An easier way to measure whose glory is supreme is to gage whose pleasure is in view. Living for the glory of God means to live for the pleasure of God. Christ did this perfectly, in whom "the good pleasure of the Lord prospered in hand." (Isaiah 53:10) And, He always chose God's glory or pleasure over man's. Most of the episode highlights how God's glory and pleasure should be the ultimate aim of the Christians.
Starving for the Will of God
This episode closes out detailing the positive encounter with God's law that believers should ideally experience. Many unfortunately rarely get beyond the first encounter with God's law, which brings conviction and crisis as they grapple with the demands of God on their lives. While the psalmist clearly wrestled with God's law, ultimately resulting in confession and repentance, the vast majority of his descriptions are very positive. The psalmist describes the law as his delight (v. 77) as he anticipates discovering "wonderful things" in God's law.(18) The psalmist at one point is starving for God's law (v. 20) and considers the Law his food. Christ Himself noted that "His food" was to do the will of the Father. (John 4:34) Such expressions underscore the path to true fulfillment. When we cultivate our longing for God and His law/His will, we discover that this second encounter with God and His Law/will results in incomparable satisfaction.
“Obedience: Tasting and Seeing that the Lord is Good
This episode addresses a common concern among Christians over their lack of spiritual growth or fulfillment. The answer may lie in a holistic picture of salvation, in which obedience and doing God's will is center-stage. Christ's said that "his food was to do the will" of the Father. (John 4:34) Doing God's will is nourishing to spiritual growth and provides true fulfillment, even motivating us for more service to God. The episode paints the sharp contrast between being filled up with the fulness of God in singular devotion to Christ and spiritual lethargy characterized by spiritual insensitivity and preoccupation with the cares of this world. Understanding this dynamic helps us make adjustments that foster spiritual growth and promote higher degrees of the beatific vision.