The Goodness of God in Times of Darkness and Suffering

The goodness of God is a fundamental aspect of His character, encompassing His benevolence, mercy, compassion, and grace towards His creatures ^[5]. This goodness is not diminished by the presence of darkness and suffering, but rather is often revealed and experienced within these difficult circumstances ^{[1, 3]}. The Bible consistently portrays God's goodness as great, rich, abundant, satisfying, enduring, and universal ^[7].

Scripture acknowledges that suffering is an inevitable part of human experience, particularly for those who seek to live godly lives ^[8]. However, even in times of trouble, God is presented as a stronghold for the righteous ^[3]. The mercy of God is described as beautiful in affliction, much like rain during a drought ^[1]. The Apostle Peter instructs Christians not to be surprised by trials, as hostility from a sinful world is to be expected ^[8]. Yet, enduring sorrows while suffering unjustly, out of a consciousness of God, is seen as finding favor with Him ^[4].

The goodness of God is not merely an abstract concept but is actively demonstrated in His dealings with humanity. He is recognized for doing good, supplying temporal needs, providing for the poor, and forgiving sins ^[7]. This goodness is intended to lead people to repentance ^[7]. Even when evil people suffer the consequences of their own actions, God ensures that sinners receive their proper punishment ^[10]. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a "nevertheless" for God's people in the worst of times, a comfort and balance to the darkness ^[13].

The concept of God's goodness also includes His severity. Romans 11:22 speaks of "the goodness and severity of God," noting severity towards those who fell and goodness toward those who continue in His goodness ^[2]. This implies that while God is good, His holiness necessitates a response to sin, which can manifest as anger or wrath ^[9]. However, this is not a spontaneous emotional outburst but a necessary response from a holy God ^[9].

In the midst of personal affliction, the word of God serves as a source of comfort and quickening ^[14]. The psalmist finds encouragement and strength in God's righteous character, believing in His ability to transform misery into abundant life ^[11]. Even when upright individuals experience darkness—whether through affliction, divine desertion, or a lack of spiritual joy—light is said to arise for them, bringing deliverance, prosperity, and renewed spiritual comfort ^[12]. This light can be understood as the lifting of God's countenance upon them, bringing healing and joy ^[12].

The presence of darkness itself is sometimes associated with God's presence, serving as an envelope of divine glory, as seen when God spoke from darkness in Exodus and 1 Kings ^[6]. The miraculous darkness at the crucifixion, which could not have been a natural eclipse, further highlights how darkness can be supernaturally ordained ^[6]. Thus, even in what appears to be the absence of light, God's presence and goodness can be at work.

Sources

Sirach “Sirach 35:26 (DRC) — The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a cloud of rain in the time of drought.”
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”
Psalms “But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. -- Psalms 37:39”
I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (LEB) — For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
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 ”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Darkness — is spoken of as encompassing the actual presence of God, as that out of which he speaks,--the envelope, as it were, of divine glory. (Exodus 20:21; 1 Kings 8:12) The plague of darkness in Egypt was miraculous. The darkness "over all the land," (Matthew 27:45) attending the crucifixion has been attributed to an eclipse, but was undoubtedly miraculous, as no eclipse of the sun could have taken place at that time, the moon being at the full at the time of the passover. Darkness is also, as in the expression "land of darkness," used for the state of the dead, (”
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”
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”
Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 1:31: 1:31 Evil people suffer the consequences of their own actions (see 1:15-19); God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment (see Matt 25:44-46; Heb 10:29; 2 Pet 2:9).”
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 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”
Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 9:1: The first words of this chapter plainly refer to the close of the foregoing chapter, where every thing looked black and melancholy: Behold, trouble, and darkness, and dimness - very bad, yet not so bad but that to the upright there shall arise light in the darkness (Psa 112:4) and at evening time it shall be light, Zac 14:7. Nevertheless it shall not be such dimness (either not such for kind or not such for degree) as sometimes there has been. Note, In the worst of times God's people have a nevertheless to comfort themselves with, something to allay and balance the”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:50: Here is David's experience of benefit by the word. 1. As a means of his sanctification: "Thy word has quickened me. It made me alive when I was dead in sin; it has many a time made me lively when I was dead in duty; it has quickened me to that which is good when I was backward and averse to it, and it has quickened me in that which is good when I was cold and indifferent." 2. Therefore as a means of his consolation when he was in affliction and needed something to support him: "Because thy word has quickened my at other times, it has comforted me then." The word”

Ask Your Own Question