The Goodness of God in the Midst of Trials
The goodness of God is a fundamental aspect of His character, encompassing His benevolence, mercy, and grace towards His creation [1]. This divine attribute is consistently affirmed in scripture, described as great, rich, abundant, satisfying, enduring, and universal [6]. Even amidst trials and suffering, biblical texts and theological traditions assert God's goodness and its active role in the lives of believers.
The Bible frequently highlights God's goodness, often linking it with His loving-kindness and righteousness. Psalm 145:8-9 states, "The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all His works" [1]. Similarly, Psalm 69:16 declares, "Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good" [7]. This loving-kindness is described as excellent, marvellous, multitudinous, and everlasting [2]. God's righteousness is also an integral part of His character, described as very high, abundant, and enduring forever [5]. These attributes provide encouragement and strength, particularly when individuals face adversity [8].
In the context of trials, God's goodness is understood not as an absence of suffering, but as His benevolent presence and purpose within it. The concept of "trial" (Hebrew: nissayon) in Jewish thought, as discussed by Ramban (Nachmanides), suggests that trials are not for God to learn about a person, but for the individual to bring their potential into actuality, thereby earning reward for their deeds [9]. This perspective implies that trials serve a purpose in spiritual development.
Christian theology similarly views trials as opportunities for growth and the demonstration of faith. The Apostle Peter writes, "For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly" [3]. This suggests that enduring suffering with a God-conscious attitude is pleasing to God. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on James 1:3, explains that trials "put religion, and all the graces of which it is composed to proof; the man that stands in such trials gives proof that his religion is sound, and the evidence afforded to his own mind induces him to take courage, bear patiently, and persevere" [12]. Thus, trials can refine faith and build endurance.
God's goodness is also manifested through His patience and long-suffering, especially towards those who are impenitent [1]. This patience is part of His righteousness, allowing Him to be just while also justifying those who have faith [4]. Even in the midst of judgment, God "remembers mercy" and offers promises of mercy alongside warnings of wrath [10]. His goodness is seen in His provision for temporal needs, His care for the poor, and His willingness to forgive sins [6]. These acts of goodness are intended to lead people to repentance [6].
The presence of God in the midst of His people, even during difficult times, is a source of strength. Zephaniah 3:17 states, "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty," which John Gill interprets as Christ being near to support, supply, assist, strengthen, protect, and defend His church [11]. This divine presence assures believers that they are not alone in their struggles.
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 ”
- 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 ”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (LEB) — For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
- 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.”
- 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”
- 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”
- 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”
- 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.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Genesis 22:1: AND G-D TRIED ABRAHAM. The matter of “trial,” 364 See Rambam’s discussion of this problem, ibid. , III, 24. in my opinion, is as follows: Since a man’s deeds are at his absolute free command, to perform them or not to perform them at his will, on the part of one who is tried it is called “a trial.” But on the part of the One, blessed be He, who tries the person, it is a command that the one being tested should bring forth the matter from the potential into actuality so that he may be rewarded for a good deed, not for a good thought alone. Know further that”
- 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”
- James (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on James 1:3: The trying of your faith - Trials put religion, and all the graces of which it is composed to proof; the man that stands in such trials gives proof that his religion is sound, and the evidence afforded to his own mind induces him to take courage, bear patiently, and persevere.”