Session 21

God is good

From What is God Like? A 21-Day Devotional

Psalm 119 declares that God is good and what He does is good (Psalm 119:67). However, we all go through things that make us question God’s goodness. 

When you are facing difficult or painful circumstances, you may find yourself asking, “If God is good, why does He allow bad things to happen?” This is a natural response when life is turned upside down. It is hard to sing about a good Father when you’re facing sickness, infertility, or a job loss. 

The best way to overcome doubts about God’s goodness is to understand the importance of perspective. Even God’s Son had to face difficult and painful things while on earth. He was tortured and endured a painful, unjust death. However, Jesus’ death and resurrection also made a way for us to be reconciled with God. Through something that seemed bad God was able to do something very good.

Sometimes, you will be able to look back at painful seasons and see how God ultimately used them for good. Other times, you will never fully understand the purpose of your pain here on earth.

Bad things happen in life and will continue to happen as long as we are living in a broken world. Yet, Jesus has told us to not give up because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). If we have a relationship with Jesus, we have the hope of spending forever with God in heaven, regardless of the evil we face here in this world.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” We can trust that God is good, even when our circumstances don’t make sense. We can’t see things the way God sees things, but we can trust that from His perspective all of our pain is working toward something good.

Reflect:

• What circumstances have caused you to question God’s goodness?
• How does considering God’s perspective affect your assumptions about His goodness?