Illustrating God's Goodness in Times of Adversity
God's goodness is a consistent theme throughout scripture, often highlighted even amidst human suffering and hardship. The psalmist proclaims, "God’s loving kindness endures continually" (Psalm 52:1) and encourages praise for God's goodness and "wonderful works to the children of men" (Psalm 107:7). This goodness is described as great, excellent, marvelous, multitudinous, everlasting, and merciful, and is considered "better than life" itself [1].
Adversity, rather than negating God's goodness, can serve to illustrate it. Afflictions are presented in scripture as beneficial in several ways: they can promote the glory of God, as seen in instances like John 9:1-3, and 11:3-4; they can exhibit God's power and faithfulness (Psalm 34:19-20; 2 Corinthians 4:8-11); and they can teach individuals God's will (Psalm 119:71; Isaiah 26:9) [2]. Furthermore, hardships can turn people toward God (Deuteronomy 4:30-31; Hosea 2:6-7), keep them from departing from Him (Job 34:31-32), and lead them to seek Him in prayer (Judges 4:3; Jonah 2:1) [2]. The apostle Paul, for example, found pleasure in weaknesses, injuries, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ’s sake, understanding that "when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). He also commended himself as a servant of God "in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses" (2 Corinthians 6:4-5).
God is depicted as being with afflicted saints (Psalm 46:5,7; Isaiah 43:2), serving as their refuge and strength (Psalm 27:5-6; Isaiah 25:4) [3]. He comforts them (Isaiah 49:13; 2 Corinthians 1:4-5), preserves them (Psalm 34:20), and delivers them (Psalm 34:4,19) [3]. Christ also supports and comforts those who are afflicted (Hebrews 2:18; Matthew 11:28-30) [3]. The "goodness and severity of God" are both evident in His dealings, with severity towards those who fell and goodness towards those who continue in His goodness (Romans 11:22). The righteous character of God provides encouragement and strength during suffering, transforming misery and weakness into abundant life [4]. This understanding encourages believers to prove "what is well pleasing to God" even in difficult circumstances (Ephesians 5:10).
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 ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
- 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”
- 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.”