IS GOD GOOD? ALL THE TIME?

A Response to "Is God Good All the Time?"

The Slogan and the Reality

We do what others do. We follow the crowd. We shout about it. We may even raise our voices. But sometimes we do not believe it. We do not mean it. We do not feel it. We do not experience it. We are not fully convinced about it. It is just a slogan merely to make us feel good. "God is good all the time, and all the time God is good." We say the words, but do we truly live them? Do we really believe that God is good when life is falling apart? Do we trust that He is good when our prayers seem unanswered? Do we hold to His goodness when we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death? The slogan is easy, but the reality is hard. Yet the truth remains: God is good, not because we feel it, but because He has declared it.

The Foundation of God's Goodness

The psalmist declares, "For the LORD is good; His loving kindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations." God's goodness is not dependent on our circumstances. It is not defined by our feelings. It is rooted in His character. He is good because He is good. His goodness is not just what He does; it is who He is. And who He is never changes. In Psalm 46, the psalmist says, "God is our refuge and strength, a present help in times of trouble." He is not just good when things are going well; He is good when we are in trouble. He is not just good when we are blessed; He is good when we are broken. His goodness is constant, unwavering, and eternal.

The Scriptures on God's Goodness

The Bible is filled with declarations of God's goodness. Nahum 1:7 says, "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him." Mark 10:18 records Jesus saying, "No one is good except God alone." God's goodness is unique; it is inherent in His nature. Psalm 31:19-20 declares, "How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You." Psalm 34:8 invites us, "O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." Psalm 86:5 says, "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You." Psalm 107:1 urges, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 135:3 says, "Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good." Psalm 145:7 declares, "They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness." Psalm 145:9 says, "The LORD is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works." First Chronicles 16:34 proclaims, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving kindness is everlasting." James 1:17 reminds us, "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." Romans 2:4 says, "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" Romans 8:28 declares, "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 12:2 exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

The Test of Goodness

Sometimes it does not really make sense to draw attention to God's goodness in a situation that just seems to be the opposite of good. We face tragedy, loss, disappointment, and pain. In those moments, it is hard to say, "God is good." It feels hollow. It feels like denial. But the truth of God's goodness is not based on our circumstances. It is based on His character. He is good, not because everything in our life is good, but because He is good. He can bring good out of evil. He can bring life out of death. He can bring hope out of despair. He can work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. His goodness is not diminished by our suffering; it is displayed in it.

The Call to Convinced Faith

So are you truly convinced now? If you are, you would give Him all the glory, all the praise due to Him. Conviction leads to worship. Belief leads to praise. When we truly believe that God is good, we cannot help but declare it. We cannot help but thank Him. We cannot help but trust Him, even when we do not understand. God is good. All the time. Not because we feel it, but because He is. Let us stop treating it as a slogan and start living it as a reality. Let us taste and see that the Lord is good. Let us take refuge in Him. Let us give Him all the glory and praise.

Final Reflection

Is God good? All the time? Yes. He is good. He is good in the storm. He is good in the silence. He is good in the waiting. He is good in the suffering. He is good in the joy. His goodness is not a feeling; it is a fact. His goodness is not a hope; it is a certainty. His goodness is not a slogan; it is a promise. So trust Him. Praise Him. Thank Him. And let His goodness be your anchor in every season of life.

Prayer of Praise for God's Goodness

Lord, I thank You that You are good. Your goodness is not dependent on my circumstances. Your faithfulness is not shaken by my feelings. I trust that You are good, even when I do not understand. I praise You for Your loving kindness, Your faithfulness, and Your abundant mercies. Help me to taste and see that You are good. Let my life be a testimony of Your goodness. I give You all the glory and all the praise. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.