God's Goodness in Difficult Circumstances and Trials
Understanding God's Goodness in Difficult Circumstances
The concept of God's goodness is a profound theme in biblical teachings, particularly in the context of trials and difficult circumstances. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's goodness is "a perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations" [2]. This understanding is rooted in various biblical passages that describe God's goodness as benevolent, merciful, and gracious.
The Psalms frequently express the idea that God's goodness is a source of comfort and strength for believers facing adversity. For instance, Psalm 103:6 states, "The Lord gives decisions in righteousness for all who are in trouble" [4]. Similarly, Psalm 37:39 affirms, "And the salvation of the righteous is from Jehovah, Their strong place in a time of adversity" [5]. These verses underscore God's active involvement in the lives of his people, providing them with salvation and support during times of hardship.
The biblical account also highlights the multifaceted nature of God's goodness. Torrey's Topical Textbook categorizes God's goodness as great, rich, abundant, satisfying, enduring, and universal, citing various scriptural references to support these attributes [1, 3]. For example, Psalm 36:7 describes God's goodness as "excellent" and "marvellous" [1]. The goodness of God is not limited to spiritual blessings but also encompasses temporal provisions and care for the poor, as seen in Acts 14:17 and Psalm 68:10 [3].
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul reflects on the balance between God's goodness and severity, particularly in Romans 11:22. Here, Paul notes that God's goodness is evident towards those who continue in his goodness, while severity is exercised towards those who have fallen away [6]. John Gill's commentary on this verse emphasizes the importance of considering both aspects to avoid pride and to cultivate humility and fear [8].
The Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry's commentary, interprets Psalm 41:1 as highlighting God's promises of succour to those who consider the poor, suggesting that kindness to those in need is a pathway to experiencing God's comfort in times of affliction [9]. This interpretation underscores the relational aspect of God's goodness, where believers' actions towards others can influence their experience of divine comfort.
The theme of God's goodness is also closely tied to the concept of divine discipline. The author of Hebrews, quoting Proverbs 3:11-12, views hardship as a form of the Lord's loving discipline for his children, aimed at training them in righteousness and holy character [7]. This perspective recontextualizes trials as opportunities for spiritual growth, underscoring the goodness of God in his sovereign plan for believers.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Loving-Kindness of God, The — Is through Christ -- Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4-6. Described as Great. -- Ne 9:17. Excellent. -- Ps 36:7. Good. -- Ps 69:16. Marvellous. -- Ps 17:7; 31:21. Multitudinous. -- Isa 63:7. Everlasting. -- Isa 54:8. Merciful. -- Ps 117:2. Better than life. -- Ps 63:3. Consideration of the dealings of God gives a knowledge of -- Ps 107:43. Saints Betrothed in. -- Ho 2:19. Drawn by. -- Jer 31:3. Preserved by. -- Ps 40:11. Quickened after. -- Ps 119:88. Comforted by. -- Ps 119:76. Look for mercy through. -- Ps 51:1. Receive mercy through. -- Isa 54:8. Are ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Goodness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 25:8; Na 1:7; Mt 19:17. Declared to be Great. -- Ne 9:35; Zec 9:17. Rich. -- Ps 104:24; Ro 2:4. Abundant. -- Ex 34:6; Ps 33:5. Satisfying. -- Ps 65:4; Jer 31:12,14. Enduring. -- Ps 23:6; 52:1. Universal. -- Ps 145:9; Mt 5:45. Manifested To his Church. -- Ps 31:19; La 3:25. In doing good. -- Ps 119:68; 145:9. In supplying temporal wants. -- Ac 14:17. In providing for the poor. -- Ps 68:10. In forgiving sins. -- 2Ch 30:18; Ps 86:5. Leads to repentance. -- Ro 2:4. Recognise, in his dealings. -- Ezr 8:18; Ne 2:18. Pra”
- Psalms “Psalms 103:6 (BBE) — The Lord gives decisions in righteousness for all who are in trouble.”
- Psalms “Psalms 37:39 (YLT) — And the salvation of the righteous <FI>is<Fi> from Jehovah, Their strong place in a time of adversity.”
- Romans “See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off. -- Romans 11:22”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:5: 12:5-6 In these verses, the encouraging words are quoted from Prov 3:11-12, a passage that regards hardship as the Lord’s loving discipline for his children. God can turn a wide variety of trials and difficulties to our good, training us in righteousness and holy character.”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 11:22: Behold therefore the goodness, and severity of God,.... The consideration of both the grace and kindness of God to some, and his severity or strict justice towards others, is recommended by the apostle as very proper to abate pride, vain glory, and haughtiness of spirit; and to engage to humility, fear, care, and caution; on them which fell, severity: the Jews who stumbled at Christ and his Gospel, and fell by unbelief, God in strict justice and righteous judgment not only destroyed, as afterwards their nation, city, and temple, and scattered them abroad in the wor”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 41:1: In these verses we have, I. God's promises of succour and comfort to those that consider the poor; and, 1. We may suppose that David makes mention of these with application either, (1.) To his friends, who were kind to him, and very considerate of his case, now that he was in affliction: Blessed is he that considers poor David. Here and there he met with one that sympathized with him, and was concerned for him, and kept up his good opinion of him and respect for him, notwithstanding his afflictions, while his enemies were so insolent and abusive to him; on these h”