GOD IS GOOD
Introduction:
The phrase “God is good” is one of the most commonly used in Christian language. But what does it really mean? Is it just a cliché, or is it a truth we can anchor our lives in?
The goodness of God is not just about His kindness or generosity—it is the very essence of His character.
Jesus declared, “No one is good—except God alone” ( Luke 18: 19 )
Every act of God flows from His goodness. He doesn’t just do good; He is good.
“The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” ( Psalm 145: 9 )
I. The Goodness of God in Jesus Christ
The ultimate expression of God’s goodness is found in Jesus.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ( John 3: 16 )
Jesus is the goodness of God in human form—healing, feeding, teaching, forgiving. Everything He did flowed from God’s good heart.
“But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” ( Titus 3: 4 -5 )
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. ( 1 John 1: 5 )
To say that God is good means that God always acts in accordance to what is right, true, and good. Goodness is part of God’s nature, and He cannot contradict His Nature. Holiness and righteousness are part of God’s nature; He cannot do anything that is unholy or unrighteous. God is the standard of all that is good.
The fact that God is good means that He has no evil in Him, His intentions and motivations are always good, He always does what is right, and the outcome of His plan is always good.
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” ( James 1: 17 )
There is nothing unpleasant, evil, or dark in Him. The Bible teaches that God’s goodness extends from His nature to everything that He does.
“The LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations” ( Psalm 100: 5 )
God is the source of every good thing, and His goodness is consistent and unchanging.
II. A Gate Way to Understanding God’s
Goodness
“Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.” (Psalm 73: 1 )
Asaph begins Psalm 73 with a powerful and confident statement: God is good. But this truth didn’t come from a place of ease—it was refined through struggle. Though Asaph was a faithful worship leader, he found himself overwhelmed by the prosperity of the wicked. He questioned God’s fairness and admitted his doubt openly:
“But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.” ( Psalm 73: 2 –3 )
In his honesty, Asaph teaches us that faith doesn’t mean pretending. It means wrestling with what we see, while holding on to what we know about God’s character. The breakthrough came when Asaph chose to seek God’s presence:
“Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.” ( Psalm 73: 17 )
In the sanctuary, his perspective shifted. He saw that worldly success is temporary, but God’s justice and goodness are eternal. The chapter ends with a renewed faith, not just in God’s power, but in His nearness and goodness:
“But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.” ( Psalm 73: 28 )
Asaph’s journey shows that God’s goodness doesn’t always look like ease or comfort—it’s seen in His presence, His justice, and His faithfulness to those who seek Him. Even when life feels unfair, God’s nature remains unchanged: He is truly good to those whose hearts are pure.
The ultimate expression of God’s goodness is found in Jesus.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ( John 3: 16 )
Jesus is the goodness of God in human form—healing, feeding, teaching, forgiving. Everything He did flowed from God’s good heart.
“But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” ( Titus 3: 4 -5 )
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. ( 1 John 1: 5 )
To say that God is good means that God always acts in accordance to what is right, true, and good. Goodness is part of God’s nature, and He cannot contradict His.
Nature. Holiness and righteousness are part of God’s nature; He cannot do anything that is unholy or unrighteous. God is the standard of all that is good.
The fact that God is good means that He has no evil in Him, His intentions and motivations are always good, He always does what is right, and the outcome of His plan is always good.
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” ( James 1: 17 )
There is nothing unpleasant, evil, or dark in Him. The Bible teaches that God’s goodness extends from His nature to everything that He does.
“The LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations” ( Psalm 100: 5 )
God is the source of every good thing, and His goodness is consistent and unchanging.
III. Biblical Evidence of God’s Goodness:
A. Creation Reflects His Goodness:
From the very beginning, God’s goodness was evident in His creation.
“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!”( Genesis 1: 31 )
Every aspect of creation bore the imprint of His goodness. He created a world of beauty, order, and purpose.
B. God’s Goodness in Provision:
God consistently provides for His people—not only materially but spiritually.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” ( Psalm 34 :8 )
Here, the psalmist invites us to experience God’s goodness, not just believe in it. It’s personal and tangible.
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” ( James 1: 17 )
C. God’s Goodness in His Patience and Mercy
“The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, ‘Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.’” ( Exodus 34: 6 )
God’s goodness is not only seen in blessings but in His patience, mercy, and willingness to forgive.
IV. “God is Good: His Faithfulness in every Season of suffering”
1. Apostle John– God Is Good in Isolation
The Apostle John, the disciple Jesus deeply loved, shared a unique closeness with Christ during His earthly ministry.
“The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table.” ( John 13: 23 )
Yet despite this deep bond, John was not spared from hardship. In his old age, he faced suffering and was exiled to the island of Patmos.
“I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.” ( Revelation 1: 9 )
God’s goodness was revealed to John not through rescue from hardship, but through divine revelation. Even in exile, God used him to speak hope and truth, showing that His goodness remains constant, even in our darkest moments.
It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. ( Revelation 1: 10 )
2. Joseph– Turning Trials into Triumph:
Joseph’s life is a powerful example of God’s goodness at work, even in suffering. Though betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and imprisoned unjustly, God never abandoned him. In time, Joseph was brought before Pharaoh and elevated to a position of great authority over Egypt.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” ( Genesis 50: 20 )
This verse reveals the heart of God’s goodness—He can turn even the darkest moments into a part of His greater plan. Joseph’s story shows us that God’s goodness is not just seen in blessings, but in His power to redeem pain for a greater purpose.
3. Job– God Is Good Through Loss and Restoration:
Job’s life is a profound testimony to the goodness of God, even in suffering. Job was a righteous man, respected and blameless, and even God Himself acknowledged Job’s integrity.
“Then the Lord asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.’” ( Job 1: 8 )
Yet, by God’s permission, Satan was allowed to test Job through intense suffering—loss of family, wealth, and health. Despite his pain and confusion, Job never abandoned his faith. In the end, God spoke to Job personally, restoring not only his understanding but also everything he had lost.
“When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!” ( Job 42: 10 )
This shows us that God’s goodness does not mean a life without trials, but rather His faithful presence through them. Even when we don’t understand the reasons behind our suffering, God’s goodness is at work, redeeming what is lost and drawing us closer to Himself.
3. Lazarus– God Is Good Even in Delay
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus shared a deep and personal connection with Jesus. Their home in Bethany was a place of hospitality and welcome for Jesus and His disciples, even when doing so was risky due to rising opposition against Him in Judea.
This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” ( John11: 2 -3 )
Despite this close relationship, they were not exempt from suffering. When Lazarus became seriously ill, the sisters sent word to Jesus, expecting Him to come immediately. But Jesus delayed, and Lazarus died. This must have felt like abandonment. Yet, Jesus had a greater purpose—to reveal the glory of God and His goodness in a deeper way.
“But when Jesus heard about it he said, ‘Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.’” ( John 11: 4 )
When Jesus finally arrived, He raised Lazarus from the dead, performing one of His greatest miracles. 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”
And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” ( John 11: 43 –44 )
This story shows that God’s goodness doesn’t always come in the timing we expect—but it always arrives with greater purpose. Even in delay and disappointment, God is working. The resurrection of Lazarus reveals that God’s goodness isn’t just in comfort, but in His power to bring life from death, hope from despair, and purpose from pain.
V. When God’s Goodness is Hard to Seed
Just like Asaph in Psalm 73, we often struggle to see God’s goodness when facing pain, injustice, or loss.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” ( Romans 8: 28 )
“The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” ( Nahum 1: 7 )
God’s goodness is our shelter—even when we don’t understand His plans.
VI. Our Response to God’s Goodness:
1. Trust in His Character
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” ( Lamentations 3: 22 –23 )
God’s goodness is renewed daily—it never runs dry.
2. Live with Gratitude
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” ( 1 Thessalonians 5: 18 )
3. A Truth Worth Holding Onto:
The goodness of God is not a shallow sentiment; it is a deep theological truth that anchors us through every storm. Whether in joy or sorrow, success or trial, God is good—always, fully, eternally.
“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13)
4. Reflect His Goodness to Others
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ( Galatians 5: 22 )
The goodness of God is not based on how smooth our path is, but on who He is—unchanging, faithful, and full of love. To say “God is good” is to trust that His intentions are always pure, His actions are always right, and His plans are always for our ultimate good, even when we can’t see the full picture. In moments of uncertainty, we are called to seek His presence, trust His promises, and remember that His goodness is constant—not just in blessings, but also in trials. Holding onto this truth gives us strength, peace, and hope, no matter what we face.
As God is good to us, we are called to be good to others.