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The Goodness of God in the Midst of Suffering

The goodness of God, understood as a perfection of His character, is expressed toward His creatures in various ways, including mercy, pity, compassion, and long-suffering patience [5]. This divine attribute is consistently affirmed in Scripture, even when believers experience suffering. The psalmist, for instance, finds encouragement and strength in God's righteous character amidst his own suffering, confessing faith in God's ability to transform misery into abundant life [11].

The Bible presents God's goodness as "great" (Nehemiah 9:17), "excellent" (Psalm 36:7), "marvellous" (Psalm 17:7), and "multitudinous" (Isaiah 63:7), enduring "everlasting" (Isaiah 54:8) [6]. This goodness is often linked with His mercy and loving-kindness, which are described as better than life itself (Psalm 63:3) [6]. Even in the face of human sin, God's long-suffering patience is evident, intended to lead people to repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) [8].

Suffering is a reality for believers, and the New Testament epistles frequently address how Christians are to understand and respond to it. First Peter, for example, instructs believers on how to face trials, noting that Christians, especially those striving for godly lives, should expect hostility from a sinful world [9]. The apostle Peter writes that it is commendable to endure pain and suffer unjustly "because of conscience toward God" (1 Peter 2:19 LEB) [1, 3]. He further states that enduring suffering while doing good is a "grace from God" (1 Peter 2:20 LITV) [2]. This perspective aligns with the broader biblical teaching that God is with the afflicted (Psalm 46:5,7; Isaiah 43:2) and acts as a refuge and strength for them (Psalm 27:5,6; Isaiah 25:4) [7].

God's goodness is not negated by suffering; rather, His presence and support are particularly manifest during such times. God comforts the afflicted (Isaiah 49:13; Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 1:4,5) and preserves them (Psalm 34:20) [7]. Christ himself is depicted as being with the afflicted (John 14:18), supporting them (2 Timothy 4:17; Hebrews 2:18), and comforting them (Isaiah 61:2; Matthew 11:28-30) [7]. John Gill notes that God delivers the poor in their affliction not necessarily by removing the affliction, but by supporting them, providing grace to bear it patiently, and granting His gracious presence for comfort [12].

The goodness of God is also seen in His providential care, even when circumstances are difficult. For instance, Paul mentions Epaphroditus's sickness, noting that "God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow" (Philippians 2:27) [4]. This demonstrates God's active involvement in mitigating suffering and showing compassion.

While God's anger is a necessary response to sin, it is not a spontaneous emotional outburst but a holy response [10]. However, His goodness is also expressed in His long-suffering patience towards impenitent sinners [5]. The Old Testament often depicts God's anger, but also His mercy and willingness to forgive [10]. The goodness and justice of God are seen as different aspects of His unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection [5].

Sources

  1. I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (LEB) — For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
  2. I Peter “I Peter 2:20 (LITV) — For what glory is it if you patiently endure while sinning and being buffeted? But if you are suffering while doing good, and patiently endure, this is a grace from God.”
  3. 1 Peter “For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. -- 1 Peter 2:19”
  4. Philippians “For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow. -- Philippians 2:27”
  5. 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 ”
  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: 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”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
  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. 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.”
  12. 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 ”
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