God is good

 God is good. It’s so easy to say that phrase. It rolls off the tongue. God is good. But when it comes to life in the real world, we often wonder about the goodness of God. After all, there are plenty of not-so-good things in this world. Every time someone is diagnosed with cancer we wonder about God’s goodness. If God is good, why does He let bad things happen?

To answer this question we must recognise that God’s goodness doesn’t hinge on circumstances. His goodness is an aspect of His unchanging character. When we say that God is good, we mean that He is inherently kind and benevolent to all of His creatures. He desires our happiness and well being. But in order to provide for our happiness, He knew that it was necessary to create us in such a way that we could freely make choices. It’s our sinful choices, not God’s character, that account for the bad things that happen around us.

When sin entered the human race, disease, accidents, and hardships followed. These are the consequences of our rebellion against God. Granted, you may have experienced tragic events that were the results of someone else’s sinful choices. There are victims, victims of drunk drivers, murder victims, victims of abuse. Still, these evils are the result of human sin, not a mark against God’s goodness.

It might be that, for you, believing in the goodness of God is a real step of faith. Remember, the Bible clearly presents God as inherently good. For example, Psalm 119.68 says of God, “You are good, and what you do is good.” God is good to His people, as Psalm 73.1 says, “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.” But God is also good even to those who reject Him. In Luke 6.35 Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to them  . . . and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Psalm 145.9 simply declares, “The Lord is good to all, he has compassion on all he has made.”

Acknowledging the goodness of God is a step of faith, but it’s a step that’s supported with evidence. God has demonstrated His goodness to us in countless ways. Acts 14.17 says, “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons, he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” James 1.17 reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Anything good in life is a gift from God. We don’t deserve His blessings, but because God is good He provides them for our pleasure. 

The greatest proof of God’s goodness is found in Jesus Christ. God sent Jesus, His Son, to die on the cross for our sins. Have you received Jesus into your heart? If so, thank Him for His goodness today.