The Goodness of God in Affliction and Suffering
The goodness of God is a fundamental aspect of His character, encompassing His benevolence, mercy, pity, compassion, and grace towards His creatures [2]. This divine goodness is evident even amidst human suffering and affliction, which are common to all people [4].
Scripture frequently highlights God's goodness in the context of adversity. Psalm 31:7 states, "I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities" [1]. This verse suggests that God's loving-kindness is a source of joy even when one is experiencing affliction. The "loving-kindness of God" is described as great, excellent, good, marvelous, multitudinous, everlasting, and merciful, and is considered better than life itself [6]. It is through Christ that this loving-kindness is fully realized [6].
Afflictions, though painful, are presented in scripture as serving several purposes. They are understood to be for the good of humanity and for the glory of God [4]. For instance, James 1:2-3 suggests that trials can produce steadfastness, while 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 speaks of God's power being made perfect in weakness [4]. Christians are exhorted to bear afflictions with patience [4]. The Apostle Peter instructs believers not to be surprised by the trials they face, as hostility from a sinful world is to be expected for those seeking to live godly lives [8]. He encourages enduring sorrows, even when suffering unjustly, because of a consciousness of God [3].
The goodness of God is not to be confused with a lack of severity. Romans 11:22 speaks of both "the goodness and severity of God," noting severity towards those who fell, and goodness towards those who continue in His goodness [5]. God's anger is not an uncontrolled emotional outburst, but a necessary response to sin [9]. Evil people will suffer the consequences of their own actions, and God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment [10].
Despite the presence of suffering, God's goodness remains. Afflictions are ultimately directed by God and are intended to result in the everlasting good of His people in Christ Jesus [4]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, notes that God delivers the poor "in" their affliction, not just "out" of it, by supporting them, providing grace for patience, granting His presence, and protecting them from enemies [12]. He also interprets "temptation" in James 1:12 as affliction, stating that the blessed person is one who endures it without being offended or falling away, but rather bears it patiently without murmuring [13].
Prayer is a significant response to affliction, with exhortations to pray for God to consider one's trouble, for His presence and support, for divine comfort, for mitigation of troubles, and for deliverance [7]. It is also a time to pray for pardon and deliverance from sin, and for divine teaching and direction [7]. The experience of affliction can lead individuals to prayer, turning them back to God [11].
The goodness of God is therefore understood not as the absence of suffering, but as His benevolent character and actions that sustain, refine, and ultimately bring about good for His people through and even within their trials [2, 4].
Sources
- 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 ”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (LEB) — For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
- 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).”
- 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”
- 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: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- 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).”
- 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”
- 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).”
- 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”
- 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 ”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 1:12: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation,.... Or affliction, which is designed by temptation, as in Jam 1:2 and the man that endures it is he that so bears it, and bears up under it, as not to be offended at it, and stumble in the ways of Christ, and fall away from the truth, and a profession of it, as temporary believers in a time of temptation do; but manfully and bravely stands up under it, and does not sink under the weight of it, or faint on account of it; and endures afflictions in such manner as not to murmur and repine at them, but is quiet and still, and be”