God's Goodness--True Amidst Suffering?

There are so many things that could be discussed concerning God's goodness and suffering. Yet in this note, I will only touch on a little bit of what I have been learning/thinking about.
I plan to (crossing my fingers, of course) do a three part "mini-series" concerning God's goodness:
Part I: God's Goodness--True Amidst Suffering?
Part II: God's Goodness--Its Role in Repentance
Part III: God's Goodness--Our Response

Ewww... that sounds so formal... but anyway.

I pray that as I jot down my rather scattered thoughts, you will join me in basking in the goodness of our Lord. My friends, God is good!

-Vange


Part I: God's Goodness--True Amidst Suffering?

Suffering has etched its wretched mark upon all of us, one way or another. Trials and tribulations, no matter the size, have plagued us at least once, no doubt. The world continues to reel in pain as natural disasters mar the face of this earth, as well as the lives of those who lost their loved ones. Everyday, approximately 115,000 abortions are being conducted—115,000 innocent lives are being ended.

The psalmist writes, in Psalm 107:1, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.”

Can I really proclaim that God... is good? The same God who, last semester, allowed two of my loved ones to pass away within a week? The same God who has allowed me to deal with a mysterious sickness for over six years… and counting? Throughout the times of pain, sadness, and sickness, is God truly good? Or do I, being the good Christian that I am, merely plaster a smile on my face and try to convince myself of God’s goodness?

Our circumstances are not an accurate reflection of God's goodness. Whether life is good or bad, God's goodness, rooted in His character, is the same.
--Helen Grace Lescheid

Friends, God is good. Let me repeat that: God is good! His goodness is not born from our good circumstances, nor is it washed out by our tears. Through pain, sadness, and sickness—through trials and tribulations of every kind, I can truthfully say, though my flesh battle within, that God is good.

God’s goodness is constant. It does not change with the seasons, nor with our circumstances. No, rather, God’s goodness stretches beyond what tragic situations can fathom. His goodness is an innate part of who He is: El Olam, the everlasting, unchanging God. When I respond to the psalmist’s call, giving thanks to “the Lord, for He is good,” I do not lie or evade reality. By proclaiming the goodness of God, I proclaim a reality. God IS good. The goodness of God is independent of who I make Him to be--how foolish to think that my circumstances can dictate who God is!

God's goodness is true--even amidst suffering. Praise God, my fellow sojourners! He is good! And again I'll say it: God is good!

When I think about God's goodness to me, I am amazed by His mercy which "endureth forever." It is not that God has given me a suffering-free coupon, no. Rather, I have the assurance that His abundant goodness prevails—even over suffering. And not only does it prevail, it also stands solidly upon the character of El Olam. Let us proclaim with conviction that God, indeed, is good! Yes, God is good!