The Goodness of the Lord in Difficult Circumstances
The goodness of the Lord is a foundational attribute of God's character, consistently affirmed throughout the biblical narrative and understood by theologians as a perfection He exercises toward His creation [7]. This goodness is not merely an abstract concept but is demonstrated actively, particularly in difficult circumstances. The prophet Nahum declares, "The Lord is good and as a strong hold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them that trust in him" [4]. This verse highlights God's goodness as a source of security and knowledge for those who rely on Him during adversity.
The concept of God's goodness is often intertwined with His "lovingkindness," a term that appears frequently in the Psalms. This lovingkindness is described as "good" [3, 5], "marvellous" [1, 5], "excellent" [5], and "everlasting" [2, 5]. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalm 69:16, interprets this lovingkindness as extending to Christ as Mediator, a love of "complacency and delight" that is eternal and evidenced by God placing all things into Christ's hands and appointing Him as Savior [8]. This divine attribute is not only eternal but also "multitudinous" and "merciful" [5]. The goodness of God is also described as "great" [6], "rich" [6], and "abundant" [6], extending universally to all His creatures [6].
In times of trouble, the goodness of the Lord is manifested in various ways. It is seen in His provision for temporal needs, His care for the poor, and His willingness to forgive sins [6]. Adam Clarke notes that even "in the midst of judgment," God "remembers mercy," mingling promises of mercy with pronouncements of wrath [9]. This suggests that even when facing divine judgment or experiencing hardship, those who trust in God can find solace in His goodness [9]. The psalmist praises God for His "marvellous kindness" shown in a "strong city" [1], indicating that even in places of perceived security or strength, God's goodness is a remarkable and active force.
The goodness of God is also understood as leading to repentance [6]. The apostle Paul, in Romans 2:4, asks, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" This implies that God's patience and kindness are intended to draw individuals toward a change of heart. Easton's Bible Dictionary explains that God's goodness, when exercised in relation to the miseries of His creatures, becomes mercy, pity, and compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, it is long-suffering patience [7]. When this goodness is extended as favor to the unworthy, it is called grace [7].
The enduring nature of God's goodness is a source of comfort. Psalm 103:17 states that "the loving kindness of the Lord endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear him" [2]. This everlasting quality provides a stable foundation for faith, even when circumstances are unstable. The goodness of God is considered "better than life" itself [5], suggesting its supreme value and importance to believers. David, in Psalm 63:3, expresses this sentiment, saying, "Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."
The experience of God's goodness can be a source of quickening and comfort during affliction. Matthew Henry, commenting on Psalm 119:50, notes that David found the word of God to be a means of sanctification, making him "alive when I was dead in sin" and "lively when I was dead in duty" [15]. Because God's word had quickened him in other times, it also comforted him in affliction [15]. This connection between God's active word and His comforting goodness highlights how divine revelation serves as a conduit for experiencing His benevolent character in difficult times.
The goodness of God is not merely a passive attribute but is actively demonstrated through His "wonderful works" [12]. These works are evident in creation, such as the sea and its creatures, and in providence, where God preserves individuals in danger, sometimes miraculously [14]. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalm 107:7, encourages praise for God's goodness, both providential (providing food, directing paths) and special (redemption, effectual calling, guiding to eternal glory) [12]. This comprehensive view of God's goodness encompasses both the mundane and the miraculous, the physical and the spiritual.
The Lord's goodness is also manifested in His compassionate care for frail humanity. Psalm 103:14-16 speaks of God's compassionate care for humans, acknowledging their transient and fragile nature [11]. This understanding of human weakness underscores the depth of God's goodness, as He extends His care despite human limitations. John Gill further describes the Lord as "gracious" and "full of compassion," particularly in the person of Jesus Christ, who came to save sinners and redeem them in His pity [13]. This compassionate aspect of God's goodness is a powerful source of hope in difficult times.
The presence of God Himself is a manifestation of His goodness in challenging situations. John Gill, commenting on Zephaniah 3:17, emphasizes that "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty" [10]. This presence is not merely essential or providential but a "gracious presence, peculiar to his church and people," which provides support, supply, assistance, strength, protection, and defense [10]. This immanent presence of a mighty and good God serves as an "antidote against those fears and faintings" that people experience [10].
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 31:21 (Geneva1599) — Blessed be the Lord: for hee hath shewed his marueilous kindenesse toward me in a strong citie.”
- Psalms “Psalms 103:17 (Geneva1599) — But the louing kindnesse of the Lord endureth for euer and euer vpon them that feare him, and his righteousnes vpon childrens children,”
- Psalms “Psalms 69:16 (Geneva1599) — Heare me, O Lord, for thy louing kindnes is good: turne vnto me according to ye multitude of thy tender mercies.”
- Nahum “Nahum 1:7 (Geneva1599) — The Lord is good and as a strong hold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
- 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: 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”
- 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 (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 69:16: Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good,.... His lovingkindness to him, not only as his Son, but as Mediator; and which is a love of complacency and delight, and was from eternity, and will be to eternity: and this is "good", as appears by the effects and evidences of it; such as putting all things into his hands, showing him all that he does, concealing and keeping nothing from him, appointing him to be the Saviour of his people, the Head of the church, and the Judge of the world; and this lovingkindness shown to him is a reason why he might expect to be hea”
- Nahum (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Nahum 1:7: The Lord is good - In the midst of judgment he remembers mercy; and among the most dreadful denunciations of wrath he mingles promises of mercy. None that trust in him need be alarmed at these dreadful threatenings; they shall be discriminated in the day of wrath, for the Lord knoweth them that trust in him.”
- Zephaniah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty Every word carries in it something very encouraging to the church and people of God; and is an antidote against those fears and faintings they are subject to; Christ "is in the midst of" them; near at hand to support and supply them, to assist and strengthen them, to protect and defend them; he is not only near by his essential presence, which is everywhere; and by his providential presence, which is concerned with all his creatures; but by his gracious presence, peculiar to his church and people; and which gives th”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 103:14: 103:14-16 The Lord compassionately cares for frail humans (see 37:2; 90:5; 92:7; 102:4; Isa 40:6-8).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 107:7: O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,.... For his providential goodness, in providing food and drink for them, when fainting; in directing them to their right way, when they had lost it; and in bringing them safe to the place they were bound for: and particularly for his special grace and goodness, in redemption and effectual calling; for bringing out of a wilderness state and condition, and supplying them with all spiritual provisions, and putting them in the right way to eternal glory and happiness. And for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 145:8: The Lord is gracious,.... These are the epithets of our Lord Jesus Christ, and may be truly and with great propriety said of him; he is "gracious", kind, and good, in the instances before mentioned; he is full of grace, and readily distributes it; his words are words of grace; his Gospel, and the doctrines of it, are doctrines of grace; his works are works of grace, all flowing from his wondrous grace and mercy: and full of compassion: or "merciful" (d), in the most tender manner; hence he came into the world to save sinners, and in his pity redeemed them; and when”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 107:21: These see the works of the Lord,.... In creation, the sea itself, its flux and reflux; the creatures in it, fishes of various forms and sizes: and in providence, in preserving ships and men in the most imminent danger, and even to a miracle; sometimes causing the wind to change or to subside in a moment, whereby deliverance is wrought. And his wonders in the deep; the strange and wonderful creatures that are in the deep waters of the sea, and to be seen nowhere else; and the amazing appearances of divine providence, in delivering when in the greatest distress, and”
- 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”