God's Goodness in the Face of Suffering and Trials
The goodness of God is a fundamental attribute of His character, expressed in His benevolent actions towards His creation [5]. This goodness is evident in various forms, including mercy, pity, compassion, and long-suffering patience, particularly in the face of human misery and sin [5]. The Bible frequently describes God's loving-kindness as great, excellent, and everlasting [6].
Despite God's inherent goodness, suffering and trials are a pervasive reality in human experience. The Scriptures acknowledge this reality and offer perspectives on how God's goodness is maintained even amidst adversity. For instance, the psalmist declares that "The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed" [4]. This suggests that God's goodness is not merely an abstract quality but is actively demonstrated through His justice and intervention on behalf of those who suffer.
One aspect of God's goodness is His grace, which is His favor communicated to the unworthy [5]. This grace is particularly highlighted in the New Testament, where the "goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared" through Christ [3, 6]. Even when individuals face trials, the concept of God's grace remains relevant. For example, enduring sorrows while suffering unjustly can "finds favor" because of a "consciousness of God" [2]. This implies that God acknowledges and values the perseverance of those who maintain their faith through hardship.
The Bible also presents suffering as a means through which God works. Peter instructs Christians not to be surprised by trials, as they are an expected part of living a godly life in a sinful world [9]. These trials can serve to strengthen faith and provide opportunities for God's power to be displayed [11]. The psalmist, even in his wounded state, confesses faith in God's ability to transform misery into abundant life [11].
While God's goodness is constant, His dealings with humanity also include severity, especially towards those who fall away from His goodness [1]. This is not an arbitrary anger but a necessary response to sin from a holy God [10]. The Old Testament frequently depicts God's anger as a response to sin and predicts a future outpouring of wrath on human transgression [10]. However, even in judgment, God's long-suffering patience is evident [5].
The concept of "waiting upon God" is also relevant in the context of suffering. This involves waiting for God as the God of providence, salvation, and the giver of blessings [7]. It includes waiting for mercy, pardon, guidance, and the fulfillment of His promises [7]. This waiting is described as good and is something God calls His people to do [7].
For those who are afflicted, the Scriptures offer comfort and assurance of God's presence and support. God is described as being with the afflicted, serving as a refuge and strength [8]. He comforts, preserves, and delivers them [8]. Similarly, Christ is depicted as being with, supporting, comforting, preserving, and delivering the afflicted [8]. This divine companionship and aid underscore God's goodness even in the darkest moments of human experience.
Sources
- 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”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (LEB) — For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
- Titus “Titus 3:4 (DRC) — But when the goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared:”
- Psalms “Psalms 103:6 (NASB) — The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed.”
- 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: 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 ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 71:19: 71:19-21 God’s righteous character provides encouragement and strength in the midst of suffering. The wounded psalmist confesses faith in God’s ability to transform his misery and weakness into abundant life.”