Is God Good All the Time?
Psalm 118:1 – Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
“If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow suffering? Either he is not good, or he is not all-powerful.” This is perhaps the most common argument from most sceptics of Christianity. But lest we cast the first stone too quickly, let’s honestly admit that we too have grappled with this very thought. While we might not phrase out skepticism so boldly (though I confess I have at times), it is certainly implied.
The short and admittedly unsatisfactory answer to this response is that we live in a fallen and broken world. This does not mean we always suffer because of a specific sin we have committed (see John 9:1-3), but simply because sin and all its consequences exist in this world. When our world was plunged into sin by our decision to disobey our Creator, we chose death and all the pain, suffering, and evil that came with it. Even in a perfect world, we believed the lie of the enemy – God is not good; he is withholding good from us. So, we chose to rebel against our Father.
So, where does the goodness and power of God come into play? In redemption. Our Father is a redemptive God. In his great goodness, he is able and willing to redeem our suffering, pain, misfortunes, and even our rebellion. Only God can bring good from so much evil. Only God can turn my tragedy into the greatest blessing of my life. Only God can bring redemptive healing to my self-destructive brokenness. Only God can transform my rebellion and hatred for him into songs of praise that turn many souls to him. Redemption is not just saving our souls; it is a work God is always doing in his creation.
After Israel was taken into captivity because of their rebellion, God still showed his mercy and goodness with these redemptive words in Isaiah 62:3-4 “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her…for the LORD delights in you…”
While we are often tempted to use our circumstances as the measuring stick for the goodness of God, it is imperative we remember that God is good all the time. Our Father is good and he is always bringing redemption through the good and the bad, even though we may not see it at the moment. While I often battle with understanding the goodness of God, and my flesh, at times, fails to embrace it, my heart is ever turned to my Father, who continually reminds me that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Therefore, my prayer is that you will “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.”
With much love,
Bryan
“If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow suffering? Either he is not good, or he is not all-powerful.” This is perhaps the most common argument from most sceptics of Christianity. But lest we cast the first stone too quickly, let’s honestly admit that we too have grappled with this very thought. While we might not phrase out skepticism so boldly (though I confess I have at times), it is certainly implied.
- “Why is God allowing this to happen to me?”
- “What did I ever do to deserve this?”
- “How could God allow this?”
- “If my child was going through something like this, I would rescue them immediately.”
The short and admittedly unsatisfactory answer to this response is that we live in a fallen and broken world. This does not mean we always suffer because of a specific sin we have committed (see John 9:1-3), but simply because sin and all its consequences exist in this world. When our world was plunged into sin by our decision to disobey our Creator, we chose death and all the pain, suffering, and evil that came with it. Even in a perfect world, we believed the lie of the enemy – God is not good; he is withholding good from us. So, we chose to rebel against our Father.
So, where does the goodness and power of God come into play? In redemption. Our Father is a redemptive God. In his great goodness, he is able and willing to redeem our suffering, pain, misfortunes, and even our rebellion. Only God can bring good from so much evil. Only God can turn my tragedy into the greatest blessing of my life. Only God can bring redemptive healing to my self-destructive brokenness. Only God can transform my rebellion and hatred for him into songs of praise that turn many souls to him. Redemption is not just saving our souls; it is a work God is always doing in his creation.
After Israel was taken into captivity because of their rebellion, God still showed his mercy and goodness with these redemptive words in Isaiah 62:3-4 “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her…for the LORD delights in you…”
While we are often tempted to use our circumstances as the measuring stick for the goodness of God, it is imperative we remember that God is good all the time. Our Father is good and he is always bringing redemption through the good and the bad, even though we may not see it at the moment. While I often battle with understanding the goodness of God, and my flesh, at times, fails to embrace it, my heart is ever turned to my Father, who continually reminds me that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Therefore, my prayer is that you will “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.”
With much love,
Bryan
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