Understanding God's Goodness in Adversity and Affliction

God's goodness is a fundamental attribute of His character, consistently exercised toward His creatures in various circumstances ^[3]. This goodness is understood not merely as benevolence but also encompasses mercy, pity, compassion, and long-suffering patience, particularly in response to the miseries of His creation ^[3]. Even in adversity and affliction, biblical texts and theological traditions affirm God's goodness, viewing these experiences as opportunities for His character to be revealed and for believers to grow ^{[4, 5]}.

The Bible frequently speaks of God's loving-kindness (Hebrew: hesed) as a manifestation of His goodness. Psalm 31:7 declares, "I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities" ^[2]. This loving-kindness is described as great, excellent, marvelous, multitudinous, and everlasting, extended through Christ ^[6]. David, in Psalm 26:3, states that God's loving-kindness was "before mine eyes," indicating a conscious awareness and assurance of God's steadfast love even amidst difficulties ^[11].

Adversity and affliction are presented in scripture as common to all humanity ^[4]. Job 5:7 notes that "man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward." However, these trials are not without purpose. They are often depicted as being for the good of individuals and for the glory of God ^[4]. James 1:2-3 encourages believers to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." The Apostle Paul also speaks of afflictions leading to the everlasting good of God's people (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) ^[4].

Theological perspectives emphasize that God directs all afflictions ^[4]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that God "delivereth the poor in his affliction" not necessarily out of it, but in it, by providing support, grace, comfort, and His presence ^[8]. This perspective suggests that God's goodness is evident in His sustaining power during suffering, rather than solely in its removal. Afflictions can serve to promote God's glory, exhibit His power and faithfulness, teach His will, and turn individuals back to Him ^[5]. For instance, Psalm 119:71 states, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes." Afflictions can also lead to prayer, convincing individuals of sin, and fostering confession ^{[5, 12]}.

The goodness of God is also contrasted with His severity. Romans 11:22 instructs believers to "Behold therefore 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" ^[1]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown interpret "God's goodness" in this context as His "sovereign goodness in admitting thee to a covenant standing" ^[9]. This implies that God's goodness is conditional upon continued "believing dependence" ^[9].

Even when facing intense suffering, the presence of God and Christ is assured for afflicted saints ^[7]. God is described as a refuge and strength, a comforter, and a preserver ^[7]. Christ is also depicted as being with the afflicted, supporting, comforting, and preserving them ^[7]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, highlights the example of Christ's own endurance of "such contradiction of sinners against Himself" as a source of strength for believers to avoid weariness and faintness in their minds during tribulation ^[10]. He also points to Paul's pleasure in infirmities and afflictions, so that "the power of Christ may rest upon me" ^[10].

Sources

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 “I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities. -- Psalms 31:7”
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 ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Afflictions — Common to all (Job 5:7; 14:1; Ps. 34:19); are for the good of men (James 1:2, 3, 12; 2 Cor. 12:7) and the glory of God (2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Pet. 4:14), and are to be borne with patience by the Lord's people (Ps. 94:12; Prov. 3:12). They are all directed by God (Lam. 3:33), and will result in the everlasting good of his people (2 Cor. 4:16-18) in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:35-39).”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
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: 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”
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 ”
Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 11:22: Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them that fell, severity--in rejecting the chosen seed. but toward thee, goodness--"God's goodness" is the true reading, that is, His sovereign goodness in admitting thee to a covenant standing who before wert a "stranger to the covenants of promise" (Eph 2:12-20). if thou continue in his goodness--in believing dependence on that pure goodness which made thee what thou art.”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: 2 Cor. xii. 8–10 .) “Wherefore,” he says, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Moreover, hear Christ Himself saying, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” ( John xvi. 33 .) [6.] Ver. 3 . “For consider,” saith he, “Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” For if the sufferings of those near us arouse us, what earnestness will not those of our Master give us! What w”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 26:3: For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes,.... The special lovingkindness of God, shown in the choice of him in Christ, in the provision of a Saviour for him, and in the effectual calling of him; which lovingkindness is unmerited, free, and sovereign, is from everlasting and to everlasting; it is better than life, excellent beyond expression, and marvellous: and this may be said to be "before his eyes"; because it was now in sight; he had a comfortable view of interest in it, and was persuaded nothing should separate him from it; it was upon his heart, shed abroad in”
Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 33:26: He shall pray unto God,.... As the former verse expresses the condition of the body of the man recovered from sickness, this the frame of his soul, and the spiritual blessings enjoyed by him: some understand this of his praying in the time of his affliction, and consider it as one means of his recovery; and indeed a time of affliction is a time for prayer; and which brings a good man to it, who in health and prosperity has been negligent of it; such an one will make his application to God for deliverance, and not to the creature; and it is his mercy and privilege he has”

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