Does God’s goodness prevail through burdens, as well as through blessings?

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him” (Psalms 34:8); “Good and upright is the LORD...” (Psalms 25:8); “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him” (Nahum 1:7).

These and hundreds of other Bible verses teach that goodness is one of the primary attributes of God. And I believe it.

Just last weekend my wife and I had the pleasure of attending the birthday party for our oldest son and his middle child whose birthdays fall four days apart.

I couldn’t help, but think of and be thankful for the goodness of God as we celebrated not just the birthdays, but also the joy of being together as a family.

However, occasionally if not frequently, the goodness of God is challenged. Usually this comes in the form of interrogatives like, “If God is good then what about …?”

Words like suffering, disease, wars, starvation, persecution, poverty and natural disasters are added. These questions are as valid as they are difficult … and I admit that I have had a few fleeting thoughts of this nature myself.

Of course, the answers that we typically give might include that a wonderful heaven awaits those who trust in God. And there is Romans 8:28 which says that, “We know that all things work together for good …”

I firmly believe these answers to be true. I sometimes, however, suspect that they may seem superficial, perhaps even trite, to someone who is currently “going through the fire.”

Does God’s goodness prevail through burdens, as well as blessings?

Allen Gardiner (1794-1851) had a strong desire to bring the gospel of Jesus to the Indians of South America. He experienced many challenges and physical hardships, but said, “While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me.”

At the age of 57, he died of disease and starvation while serving on Picton Island at the southern tip of South America. When his body was found, so was his diary. It recorded his hunger, thirst, illness and loneliness. The final entry was made by a shaking hand and was barely legible. It said, “I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God.”

Can we embrace the goodness of God in tough times, as well as at birthday parties? Allen Gardiner would say (did say) a definitive yes.

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord. In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13)

Pastor Ross Helgeton is senior pastor at Erskine Evangelical Free Church.