Understanding God's Character in Trusting His Goodness Amid Adversity
Trusting God's goodness amid adversity is rooted in understanding the steadfastness and multifaceted nature of God's character, which is consistently portrayed in scripture as good, faithful, and merciful [3, 6]. This goodness is not merely an abstract concept but a perfection of his character actively exercised toward his creatures [3].
The goodness of God is declared to be great, rich, abundant, satisfying, enduring, and universal [6]. It is manifested in his provision for temporal needs, his forgiveness of sins, and his doing good to all [6]. The psalmist notes that God's goodness is better than life itself [4]. This goodness is also described as "loving-kindness," which is great, excellent, good, marvelous, multitudinous, and everlasting [4]. It is through Christ that this loving-kindness is fully expressed [4].
God's goodness is often paired with his faithfulness. The Lord is faithful and will not suffer his promises to fail [12]. This faithfulness is evident in his daily mercies and his continual provision of a habitable world [13]. Daniel recognized God's fidelity and truth, noting that God had never broken his engagements to his followers [11]. This attribute of faithfulness provides comfort to believers, assuring them that God will not abandon those who trust in him [12].
Adversity tests this trust, but biblical texts encourage steadfastness, which is secured by the power and presence of God and by trust in him [2]. 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" [8]. This implies that even in judgment, God remembers mercy and provides refuge for those who trust him, protecting them in life's trials [14, 15]. Adam Clarke notes that a lack of faith in God's providence and goodness is the source of human inquietudes and fears, emphasizing that God has undertaken to save and defend those who trust in him [10].
The Apostle Paul speaks of both the "goodness and severity of God" in Romans 11:22, explaining that severity is directed toward those who fell, while goodness is extended to those who continue in his goodness [5]. This "goodness" refers to God's sovereign goodness in admitting people to a covenant standing [9]. The goodness of God is intended to lead individuals to repentance [15, 6].
Trust in God's goodness also fosters boldness. This holy boldness, exemplified by Christ, is a characteristic of saints and is produced by trust in God and the fear of God [1]. It enables believers to express their trust in God and to have boldness in prayer [1]. Perseverance, another characteristic of saints, is maintained through the power of God and Christ, and through the intercession of Christ [7]. This perseverance is an evidence of reconciliation with God and of belonging to Christ [7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Steadfastness — Exhibited by God in all his purposes and ways -- Nu 23:19; Da 6:26; Jas 1:17. Commanded -- Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15; Jas 1:6-8. Godliness necessary to -- Job 11:13-15. Secured by The power of God. -- Ps 55:22; 62:2; 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. The presence of God. -- Ps 16:8. Trust in God. -- Ps 26:1. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32. A characteristic of saints -- Job 17:9; Joh 8:31. Should be manifested In cleaving to God. -- De 10:20; Ac 11:23. In the work of the Lord. -- 1Co 15:58. In continuing in the Apostles' doctrine. -- Ac 2:42. In holding fast our”
- 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 ”
- 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: 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perseverance — An evidence of reconciliation with God -- Col 1:21-23. An evidence of belonging to Christ -- Joh 8:31; Heb 3:6,14. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 4:18. To be manifested in Seeking God. -- 1Ch 16:11. Waiting upon god. -- Ho 12:6. Prayer. -- Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; 2Th 3:13. Continuing in the faith. -- Ac 14:22; Col 1:23; 2Ti 4:7. Holding fast hope. -- Heb 3:6. Maintained through The power of God. -- Ps 37:24; Php 1:6. The power of Christ. -- Joh 10:28. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32; Joh 17:11. The fear of God. -- Jer 32”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 12:7: Fear not therefore - Want of faith in the providence and goodness of God is the source of all human inquietudes and fears. He has undertaken to save and defend those to the uttermost who trust in him. His wisdom cannot be surprised, his power cannot be forced, his love cannot forget itself. Man distrusts God, and fears that he is forgotten by him, because he judges of God by himself; and he knows that he is apt to forget his Maker, and be unfaithful to him. See on Mat 10:29-31 (note).”
- Daniel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Daniel 9:4: Keeping the covenant - Fidelity and truth are characteristics of God. He had never yet broken his engagements to his followers, and was ever showing mercy to men.”
- 2 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Thessalonians 3:3: But the Lord is faithful,.... Or "God" as the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read, as do also the Alexandrian and Claromontane copies. This is said for the comfort of the saints, lest they should be discouraged upon hearing that all professors of faith in Christ had it not, who might be ready to take it to themselves, and fear, that either they had it not, or if they had, that they might lose it, and fall from it. Wherefore the apostle observes to them the comfortable attribute of God's faithfulness, which he will not suffer to fail. He has promised many ”
- Lamentations (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Lamentations 3:23: 3:23 God’s faithfulness speaks of his absolute reliability, which is evident in his daily mercies. He continually provides a habitable world in which we can live.”
- 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.”
- Nahum (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Nahum 1:7: 1:7-11 This second stanza (see study note on 1:2-11) concentrates on God’s sovereignty, righteousness, and justice in dealing with all people. 1:7 The Lord is good: God acts equitably when he judges the wicked. He also provides refuge for those who trust in him. He accepts them and protects them in the midst of life’s trials (Pss 18:2; 62:5-7). God’s rich goodness can lead individuals to repentance (Rom 2:2-4).”