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The Goodness of God in Trials and Suffering

The goodness of God is a fundamental aspect of his character, encompassing his benevolence, mercy, pity, compassion, and long-suffering patience [1]. This divine attribute is evident in his dealings with all creatures, regardless of their circumstances [1]. The goodness of God is described in scripture as great, rich, abundant, satisfying, enduring, and universal [10]. It is also closely linked with his loving-kindness, which is portrayed as excellent, marvelous, multitudinous, and everlasting [4].

Even in the midst of trials and suffering, the goodness of God is affirmed. The psalmist declares, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" [16]. This suggests that God's goodness and mercy are constant companions for his people, not just in times of ease but also through difficulties [16]. The consideration of God's dealings provides knowledge of his loving-kindness [4].

Suffering, particularly when endured unjustly, can be seen as finding favor with God if it is borne out of a consciousness of him [2]. The apostle Peter instructs Christians to expect hostility and trials, especially when seeking to live godly lives, and not to be surprised by them [11]. He emphasizes that it is better to suffer for doing good, if it is God's will, than for doing evil [3]. This patient endurance of unmerited suffering is acceptable to God, with Christ serving as the ultimate example [14]. Christ's suffering, though innocent, was for humanity, demonstrating the highest form of "doing well" [14].

The goodness of God is also manifested in his patience and long-suffering. God's patience is a characteristic of his being [7], and his long-suffering is part of his character, as seen in Exodus 34:6 and Numbers 14:18 [8]. This long-suffering is intended to lead people to repentance [8], and it is exercised both toward his people and toward the wicked [8]. The goodness of God leads to repentance [10], and his patience is a means by which he demonstrates his righteousness [6].

While suffering can be a consequence of one's own evil actions [12], it can also be a means through which God works. Trials can lead to patience [7], and patience, in turn, produces experience and hope [7]. The righteous character of God provides encouragement and strength during suffering, with the belief that God can transform misery and weakness into abundant life [13].

Theological traditions interpret the role of suffering in light of God's goodness. John Calvin, for instance, suggests that while suffering is not naturally perceived as a sign of salvation, it can become a "seal of adoption" for God's children if endured with fortitude and patience [15]. Conversely, the wicked stumble against suffering, which becomes a token of their condemnation [15]. This perspective highlights that the experience of suffering, when viewed through the lens of faith, can reveal God's grace.

God's goodness is also evident in his righteous deeds and judgments for all who are oppressed [5]. His righteousness is described as very high, abundant, beyond computation, everlasting, and enduring forever [9]. This righteousness, alongside his goodness, ensures that he is just and a justifier of those who have faith [6].

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (LEB) — For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
  3. I Peter “I Peter 3:17 (BSB) — For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
  4. 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 ”
  5. Psalms “Psalms 103:6 (NASB) — The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed.”
  6. Romans “Romans 3:26 (Geneva1599) — Through the patience of God, to shewe at this time his righteousnesse, that hee might be iust, and a iustifier of him which is of the faith of Iesus.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Patience — God, is the God of -- Ro 15:5. Christ, an example of -- Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32; Mt 27:14. Enjoined -- Tit 2:2; 2Pe 1:6. Should have its perfect work -- Jas 1:4. Trials of saints lead to -- Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3. Produces Experience. -- Ro 5:4. Hope. -- Ro 15:4. Suffering with, for well-doing, is acceptable with God -- 1Pe 2:20. To be exercised Running the race set before us. -- Heb 12:1. Bringing forth fruits. -- Lu 8:15. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; Ga 6:9. Waiting for God. -- Ps 37:7; 40:1. Waiting for Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 2Th 3:5. Waiting for the hope of the gospel. -- R”
  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. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 7:9; 116:5; 119:137. Described as Very high. -- Ps 71:19. Abundant. -- Ps 48:10. Beyond computation. -- Ps 71:15. Everlasting. -- Ps 119:142. Enduring for ever. -- Ps 111:3. The habitation of his throne. -- Ps 97:2. Christ acknowledged -- Joh 17:25. Christ committed his cause to -- 1Pe 2:23. Angels acknowledge -- Re 16:5. Exhibited in His testimonies. -- Ps 119:138,144. His commandments. -- De 4:8; Ps 119:172. His judgments. -- Ps 19:9; 119:7,62. His word. -- Ps 119:123. His ways. -- Ps 145:17. His acts. -- J”
  10. 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”
  11. 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).”
  12. 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).”
  13. 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.”
  14. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”
  15. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 9.4: a manner seals of adoption to the children of God, if they endure them with fortitude and patience: the wicked give a token of their condemnation, because they stumble against a stone by which they shall be bruised to pieces. ( Matthew 21:44 .) And that from God . This is restricted to the last clause, that a taste of the grace of God may allay the bitterness of the cross. No one will naturally perceive the cross a token or evidence of salvation, for they are things that are contrary in appearance. Hence Paul calls ”
  16. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 23:6: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,.... Either the free grace, love, favour, and mercy of God in Christ, which endures continually, and is always the same from everlasting to everlasting; or the effects of it; and these either temporal good things, which flow from the goodness and mercy of God, and not the merits of men; and which are in great mercy and loving kindness bestowed on his people, and which follow them: they do not anxiously seek after them; but seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness, these are added to them, they trusting in the Lord, and”
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