The Goodness of God in Times of Adversity

The goodness of God is a profound theme in biblical theology, particularly in times of adversity. According to Psalm 37:39, "the salvation of the righteous is from Jehovah, Their strong place in a time of adversity" ^[2]. This verse underscores God's role as a refuge and strength for believers facing hardship.

The biblical concept of God's goodness encompasses various aspects, including benevolence, mercy, pity, compassion, and long-suffering patience ^[1]. In the face of adversity, God's goodness is manifested as a stronghold, providing comfort and deliverance to those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 declares, "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him" ^[3]. This assurance is echoed in Psalm 23:6, which affirms that God's goodness and mercy follow believers all the days of their lives.

The Psalms frequently express the idea that God's goodness is a source of encouragement and strength in times of suffering. For instance, Psalm 71:19-21 highlights God's righteous character as a basis for confidence amidst misery and weakness ^[7]. Similarly, Psalm 31:19 notes God's goodness towards those who fear Him, providing a foundation for trust during adversity.

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that showing kindness to those in distress is a cardinal virtue, and those who are merciful will find God's mercy in the final judgment (Matthew 5:7) ^[9]. This emphasis on mercy and kindness reflects the character of God, who is described as abundant in loving-kindness (Psalm 33:5; 117:2) ^[5].

The Bible also emphasizes that God's goodness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4) and is a reason for praise and trust. Psalm 107:43 encourages believers to consider God's dealings and gain a knowledge of His loving-kindness. In times of adversity, believers are exhorted to look to God's goodness and mercy, trusting in His providential government, which provides perpetual blessings for the good ^[10].

John Gill's commentary on Psalm 31:15 highlights that believers' times, including times of trouble and adversity, are in God's hand, emphasizing the sovereignty and care of God over His people ^[8]. This understanding is reinforced by the affirmation that God is with His afflicted saints, providing comfort, preservation, and deliverance (Psalm 46:5,7; Isaiah 43:2) ^[6].

The goodness of God is not limited to times of prosperity but is particularly significant in times of adversity, serving as a foundation for trust, comfort, and hope. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, God's goodness is described as great, rich, abundant, satisfying, enduring, and universal, manifesting in various ways, including forgiveness, supply of temporal wants, and provision for the poor ^[4].

The biblical emphasis on God's goodness in times of adversity underscores the importance of trusting in His character and providence. As Psalm 52:1 affirms, "Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God [endureth] continually" ^[4]. This enduring goodness provides a steadfast foundation for believers navigating the challenges of life.

Sources

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 ”
Psalms “Psalms 37:39 (YLT) — And the salvation of the righteous <FI>is<Fi> from Jehovah, Their strong place in a time of adversity.”
Nahum “Nahum 1:7 (BSB) — The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.”
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”
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: 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.”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 31:15: My times are in thy hand,.... And not in the hand of his enemies; as his time of life and death, which was only by the direction and appointment of God, was in his power, and fixed by him; nor could his enemies take away his life before his time, and without the will of his covenant God: the time of his coming to the throne, and what was gone over him during his reign hitherto, Ch1 29:30; and all his times of trouble in it; times of prosperity and of adversity; of darkness, desertion, and temptation; and of joy, peace, and comfort; these were all in the hands of the ”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:7: 5:7 Jesus made a cardinal virtue of being merciful, that is, showing kindness to those in distress (see 6:12, 14-15; 9:13; 12:7; 18:23-35; 23:23; 25:31-46). Those who are merciful now will find God’s mercy in the final judgment.”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 37:27: The exhortation is sustained by the assurance of God's essential rectitude in that providential government which provides perpetual blessings for the good, and perpetual misery for the wicked.”

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