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God's Goodness in Times of Adversity and Suffering

The goodness of God is a perfection of his character, which he extends to his creatures according to their various circumstances and relationships [4]. This goodness is described as great, rich, abundant, satisfying, enduring, and universal [8]. It is manifested in his provision for temporal needs, his care for the poor, and his forgiveness of sins [8]. Even in times of adversity and suffering, biblical texts and theological traditions affirm God's goodness.

The Psalms frequently speak to God's role as a stronghold and deliverer for the righteous in times of trouble [2, 3]. For instance, Psalm 37:39 states, "But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble" [2]. Similarly, Psalm 41:1 pronounces a blessing upon those who consider the poor, promising that "the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble" [3]. God is depicted as being with the afflicted, comforting them, preserving them, and delivering them [5]. This divine presence and support are also attributed to Christ, who is said to be with the afflicted, to support and comfort them, and to preserve and deliver them [5].

The concept of God's goodness encompasses various aspects, including benevolence, mercy, pity, compassion, and long-suffering patience towards impenitent sinners. When communicating favor to the unworthy, it is understood as grace [4]. The "loving-kindness of God" is a related concept, described as great, excellent, good, marvelous, multitudinous, everlasting, and merciful [6]. This loving-kindness is understood to be through Christ [6].

Adversity and suffering are not seen as negating God's goodness, but rather as contexts in which his goodness is demonstrated. Christians are encouraged not to be surprised by trials, as these are an expected part of living a godly life in a sinful world [9]. The Apostle Peter instructs believers on how to face these inevitable trials [9]. Even in suffering, God is understood to deliver the poor in their affliction, supporting them, supplying grace for patience, and granting his presence for comfort [13]. For the upright, light is said to arise in darkness, bringing deliverance from affliction, prosperity, and spiritual joy [14].

The goodness of God is also linked to his justice. Romans 11:22 speaks of both the "goodness and severity of God," noting severity towards those who fell and goodness towards those who continue in his goodness [1]. This passage suggests that God's goodness is conditional upon continued adherence to his ways [1]. God's anger, as described in Romans 1:18, is not an arbitrary emotional outburst but a necessary response of a holy God to sin [10]. However, this does not diminish his goodness; rather, it highlights the multifaceted nature of his character, where goodness and justice are seen as aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection [4].

The goodness of God is intended to lead to repentance [8]. The consideration of God's dealings provides knowledge of his loving-kindness [6]. Believers are called to wait upon God as the God of providence and salvation, for mercy, pardon, guidance, protection, and the fulfillment of his word and promises [7]. This waiting is described as good [7]. Even when facing hostility, believers are called to bless those who curse them, following the teaching of Jesus [11]. The church, even in a low and distressed state, is promised restoration and greater prosperity through God's love [12].

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. Psalms “But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. -- Psalms 37:39”
  3. Psalms “Psalms 41:1 (KJV) — Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.”
  4. 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 ”
  5. 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”
  6. 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 ”
  7. 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”
  8. 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”
  9. 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).”
  10. 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”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 4:12: 4:12 We work: To avoid being blamed by others for taking money, Paul preferred to support himself (9:3-18; Acts 18:3; 20:33-35). • We bless those who curse us: Paul’s response was in line with Jesus’ teaching (Matt 5:44-45; cp. Rom 12:14, 17-21).”
  12. Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 54:11: Very precious promises are here made to the church in her low condition, that God would not only continue his love to his people under their troubles as before, but that he would restore them to their former prosperity, nay, that he would raise them to greater prosperity than any they had yet enjoyed. In the foregoing chapter we had the humiliation and exaltation of Christ; here we have the humiliation and exaltation of the church; for, if we suffer with him, we shall reign with him. Observe, I. The distressed state the church is here reduced to by the providence”
  13. Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 36:15: He delivereth the poor in his affliction,.... The righteous or godly poor; who are not only poor in worldly things, but poor in spirit; who are humbled, brought low, and made contrite, through the afflicting hand of God: these, though the Lord does sooner or later deliver "out" of their afflictions, yet that is not intended here, but a deliverance "in" them; which is done by supporting them under them, by supplying them with his grace to bear them patiently, by granting them his gracious presence for their comfort in them, by stilling the enemy and the avenger, keeping ”
  14. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 112:4: Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness,.... Upright ones are sometimes in the darkness of affliction, under divine desertions, without spiritual joy, and in an uncomfortable condition; when on a sudden light arises to them, like break of day, or the morning light: they have deliverance from affliction, and enjoy prosperity; the light of God's countenance is lifted up on them; the sun of righteousness arises upon them with healing in his wings; and spiritual joy and comfort are communicated unto them. It may denote the comforts the people of God have ami”
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