Last week, I posed a troubling question: Does God care about our earthly woes? Or as author Brent Curtis wrote, are we trapped in a story that “uses up characters like trailer courts in tornado season?”
How can we know that God is good?
Let’s get down to the juggernaut of the question. We have legitimate questions about God’s goodness: Why tragedies? Why injustices? Why do innocents suffer—like children blasted with chlorine gas in Syria? Even small things can galvanize our doubts.
We say—if God will give us answers, then we’ll trust Him…
We want Him to come down with all His goodness and answer our questions with puzzle-like exactness. The puzzle would look like this:
But that’s not how life works. The Bible says that while we’re here, we will only “know in part.” Still God gives us many genuine reasons to trust in His goodness. Here are some foundational ones:
(See sources below)
—Creation: God’s goodness for us was originally reflected in Creation. His intention to bring us every good thing is described in Genesis 1.
—The Incarnation– God became human and understands on a cellular level what we go through here. He felt hunger, thirst, weariness, sorrow, joy, and betrayal. Jesus said, “He who has seen me, has seen the Father.” In short, God gets it! He understands the human condition. God’s goodness is fully revealed in Jesus Christ.
—The Cross– How much love does it take to save humankind? It took everything. God gave His Son as the sacrifice for sin and restored our relationship to God.
—The Holy Spirit– God does not expect us to navigate life without Him. Through the Holy Spirit we experience God’s goodness here and now.
—Heaven– It’s not only about this life. We are part of a larger story that God is telling where we will be reunited with loved ones and have full understanding. There will be no more tears, sickness, death, sorrow, or suffering. Near death stories have given us a glimpse of this truth. See, Heaven is For Real, or read 90 Minutes in Heaven and Proof of Heaven.
—God’s perfect judgment– We understand the goodness of God at times by what He hates. Pastor and author Mike Bickle said that all of God’s judgment is focused on what interferes with love.
—God’s sovereignty– His goodness keeps Him from answering all our prayers on our level of understanding. Sometimes, greater things are at stake than what we know. Bill Johnson likes to say, “God is in charge, but He’s not in control. Every parent understands that.” God has to allow us free will.
—God’s discipline– He cleans us up, getting rid of toxic things that hinder our maturity.
—God’s glory– Moses asked to see God’s glory, and God said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you.” When Moses came down the mountain, his face was radiant with the glory of God. Why? Because he experienced God’s GOODNESS!
—The supernatural– God’s goodness is seen in healings, miracles, deliverances, and angelic encounters.
These truths cover many bases, but they’re not enough. From an earthly perspective, God goodness still doesn’t resolve our pointed questions. A gap is left between—a space called “mystery.” And God asks us to embrace mystery by faith.
Johnson said, “God works in mysterious ways, but He is mysteriously good, not mysteriously evil.”[i]
We say, “Answer my questions, and then I’ll believe.”
God says, “Believe in My goodness and experience My presence, and it will be your anchor in mystery, tragedy, and disappointment.”
The presence of God is the soothing oil, flowing through mystery to bridge the gap.
Experiencing the goodness of God changes everything.
If you step out in faith, believing that God’s very nature is good, you’ll begin to trust Him. And if you trust Him, you’ll draw closer to Him, and that potentially expands your experience of His presence.
Johnson closes with this: “You may have a thousand questions, but allow your encounters with God to have more weight than your questions.”
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Check my next post (5/20/18) to read a true and amazing story of God’s goodness.
Sources for this post:
God is Good, by Bill Johnson (also taught as an e-course):
http://ecourses.bethel.tv/course/god-is-good/
The Sacred Romance, by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge
This is a wonderful summary of what God has done. But I think you are preaching to the choir. Explan the terror on earth to someone who doesn’t believe in God or the Bible. So they can begin to grasp God.
Thank you Josette
Indeed. A great challenge and the biggest hindrance to many who resist God. That’s why my point is that knowledge isn’t enough. People need to experience God. Even Nebuchadnezzar was changed when He experienced and witnessed God’s supernatural power. Thanks for your great insight Josette!!