Between believers, a high-five of “God is good,” covers a lot of ground. It is inspired by a happy outcome, good grade at school or maybe a really good deal on a new pair of shoes. How content I am with a certain situation might reveal how good I think God really is.
“God is good,” isn’t often said, when the tire is flat, technology bedeviled, or cleaning up the mess of a sick child.
Probably each of us has at some time, when things go the way we want, tossed out the phrase like a spiritual approval of a divine touch, “good job, God,” rather than a sacred, deep truth of His character.
So, what does God is good really mean? And how does it mesh with the real world we live in, when “life just stinks?”
This quotable quote spoken by one of the heroes of my faith came when our daughter was teetering between life and death.It was nighttime outside her house. Our daughter lay in an inconvenient hospital bed far from our house but near hers. She offered us a place to stay and a heart to lean into.
She welcomed me with outstretched arms. I promptly laid my head on her shoulder and let the sobs from my gut escape.
“Sometimes life just stinks,” she said.
Her gray hair shone like a halo in the porch light.
That night, the beginning of what would become a gaping nightmare which darkened more each day, this dear lady’s words encouraged me. Because I knew her faith stood firm even when the world tottered.
I often think of her response when I don’t know how to respond to another’s sorrow.
That dear lady of God acknowledged my pain, because life in that moment did stink. She listened to my circumstances and panic. And by being quietly with me in my trenches, she gently steered me toward truth.
She demonstrated by her own life well lived, that God is enough for whatever lay ahead.
Sometimes circumstances in life just stink. Maybe yours do now. Perhaps you know another who needs a listening ear.
I’d been at the funeral of my friend’s husband. I’d observed her pain. With overwhelming grief, she hung onto Jesus. She’d taught our children in Sunday School. She’d been available with help when our children were sick or we needed a break.
I’d watched her suffering before my own. She held tight to Jesus, like a strangle hold of a drowner gasping for air. And that is how I held onto her that night.
In the days that followed, God’s goodness remained steady, but my understanding of it underwent an earthquake of seismic proportions.
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Ps. 145:17 KJV
The goodness of God intertwines inextricably with the other attributes of a Perfect God. His character is ALL perfectly good in all He does. There is no evil, mal-intent, or incompetence in Him.
“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV
Not only is God perfectly good, apart from all evil, He is just. His attributes all compliment each other rather than lessen or combat one another. With a thousand, “How can He?” questions tumbling through my mind mixing with the “why’s” of faith, I discovered that underlying each question, the strength of God’s goodness held. I may not understand, but even my incomprehension is consistent with Who He is.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV
God’s goodness is constant and complete. It never fights with his love, faithfulness, wisdom, justice, compassions, or mercy.
“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:5 ESV
“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 106:1
His goodness which warred in my mind with the agonizing state of my daughter in a hospital bed did not in fact contrast with Him.
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.“ Nahum:1:7 ESV
How loosely we use the truth-filled phrase, “God is Good,” when it means something so deep and vast it cannot be contained in mere words or human thought. It moves us to our knees in worship even when sorrow overwhelms.
God’s performance is not tied to an approval rating. He does not need our high fives. Yet, His abundant goodness overflows with our good in His purpose.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV
Is God good? All Good. Always Good. Unchangingly, uncompromisingly, incomprehensibly good.
Some of my recent articles:
Dear Beautiful Girl on Prom Night
What Does it Mean That God is Omnibenevolent?
Candyce Carden
When I was young, I often heard my older (by 14 years) sister say the words, “God is good.” I didn’t really get it then, but now that I’ve lived a few years, I know exactly how what she meant and why she repeated them so often. I’m thankful for that.
Thank you for the words that express more concretely just what those words mean.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Candyce. It sounds like she understood the goodness of God. It’s a precious thing to have grown up with!
Barbara Latta
Yes, God is good. He also brings good things out of the bad we experience. He doesn’t leave us alone.
Sylvia Schroeder
I like the thought that God doesn’t leave us alone. Thanks Barbara!
Annie Yorty
What a good reminder of the incomprehensible goodness of God, Sylvia. Thank you!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Annie. I needed the reminder myself!
Jeannie Waters
What a powerful post, Sylvia. I appreciate your honesty about this topic and your scriptural examples.
Sylvia Schroeder
Jeannie, thank you. I keep learning and hopefully growth comes with it. I appreciate your encouragement.
R
Thank you Sylvia. You write so beautifully about the love of our good, good God. Thank you so much for the encouragement!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you! I’m glad you found it encouraging. You response encourages me as well!
Yvonne Morgan
God is good even in the midst of turmoil. I really learned this after the death of our son in 1993. He turned our sorrows into an incredible ministry.
Sylvia Schroeder
Oh Yvonne, I am so sorry about the loss of your son. Thank you for writing about God turning sorrow into ministry. This is the testimony of a God who loves. Thank you so much for sharing that encouragement.
Katherine Pasour
Sometimes when we are gripped by deep sorrow, it is hard to voice “God is good.” But somewhere in our heart, we know it is true and that warmth spreads within us to bring peace and comfort. It may take a while and God may send an angel (your friend) to help. Beautiful message, ?Sylvia, thank you.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Katherine. It is very hard at times to acknowledge God is good in the middle of suffering. I am so grateful His goodness does not depend on my feelings. Thanks as always. Your words and perspective are a great encouragement.
Joanna Eccles
I love this line: “I may not understand, but even my incomprehension is consistent with Who He is.” So many times in the midst of turmoil, I have to remind myself to cling to God’s character instead of looking at my circumstances. I ask what He is doing, and He often responds, “Trust Me.” That’s all my finite mind can grasp. Trust God because even when the world seems out of control, God is still Sovereign.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Joanna. The fact that I don’t understand should be a comfort to me because it is evidence that God’s mind and ways are much beyond my finiteness…but I’m still working on responding that way!! I appreciate so much your interaction. Thanks!
Nancy E. Head
Nobody enjoys the hard times, but it’s good to look back and see how God redeems them. God is good.
Sylvia Schroeder
Yes He is! Thanks Nancy!
J.D. Wininger
It seems my mind is “trained” to respond with “All the Time!” whenever I read or hear those words. If I’m honest, seldom in the midst of that back and forth exchange do I pause to consider just how good God is. It may not happen in the moment, but so many times during my day I find myself exclaiming it at the end of something accomplished. For me, it’s a way of expressing or acknowledging that I can do nothing without Him. So yes sweet sister. To your question of “how good is God?”, my response can only be “Immeasurably, all the time!” 🙂
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks J. D. He is immeasurably good all the time. I appreciate that. How I need to dwell on it more often!
Mary Neir
Thanks Sylvia, you so well putting it all into words and I always feel that God is good, “all the time” – At the age of 10,
sylvia schroeder
Mary, thanks for the email continuing your story. God is good and it is such a blessing to be able to look back and see His hand in our story. Thanks for sharing.