The Goodness of God

Lately I've been challenged by thoughts on the goodness of God.

They really started to become consistent in the book of Job as I was doing my reading through the Bible in 90 days.  I just finished the book of Job again as I am now reading through the Bible chronologically.

So often I mention the goodness of God when things are going right. An answer to prayer, health restored, protection noticed... and the words "God is good" slip across my tongue.

Then I am challenged.

Should those same words not pass through my mouth when things don't seem to be going right? Answers to prayers seem silent or even opposed to what I had hoped for, continuing illness with no restoration in sight, tragedy strikes...

Do things and situations alter the goodness of God?

Does God simply just do good? or is He good?

In the classic by C.S. Lewis "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", Aslan represents Jesus. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver begin describing Aslan to the children, and this is part of their conversation:

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr Beaver...; Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.


Jack Modesett Jr. gives this definition of the goodness of God:

"Wise. Loving. Strong. Gracious.
Wise enough to know what's best for me.
Loving enough to want what's best for me.
Strong enough to do what's best for me.
Gracious enough to give me all that goodness would provide."

Ps. 34:8 (NLT) "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!"

Ps. 145:9 (NLT) "The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation."


Circumstances of sin and this fallen world do not change the goodness of God.

"The presence of sin means that sometimes we don't get the good that we deserve."           ~Andy Stanley

Being good is not something God does, rather something He is.

Good or bad, ecstatic or tragic... God is Good!

It is part of His character. Just plain who He is... all the time.

God IS Good.

Just this morning as I was preparing to post this, a situation came up that was far from ideal.  As I sensed my frustrations rising within me and the tears coming to my eyes... I knew this was a perfect time to put this truth to practice in my heart.

"Even now, in the middle of this...God, You are still good."

The situation still has not resolved itself.  There is a plan B, but it is not what we would have preferred. 

And yet, I wonder, if perhaps the events of this morning were part of the lesson?  The opportunity to state, in fact, that God is good regardless of the situations that find themselves in my days.

What about you?  Have you ever thought or been challenged to remember the goodness of God, even when it appears that things are not going so well?  Or especially when things aren't going so well?

When was the last time you were reminded and able to say that God is good?  Not finishing the sentence with "when"...  

Instead, just using these three words to sum it all up.  

God IS Good.