God’s Goodness - Understanding God’s Goodness in Every Season of Life | From Darkness To Light Ministry

A Devotional Article

There are days when life feels heavy — when unanswered prayers linger in the heart, when disappointments cloud the mind, or when the world around us seems inconsistent with what we know about the character of God. It is easy to affirm that God is good when everything is going well, when blessings come in abundance, and when life follows the plot of a story we ourselves would write. But the real test of faith comes when we face moments that do not look or feel good at all. Still, Scripture repeatedly invites us to return to one truth: God is good, all the time — truly, deeply, unwaveringly good.

But what does “God is good” really mean? Is it merely a comforting phrase to say when life is difficult? Or is it a truth that is deeply rooted in God’s identity and woven through all of human history? This devotional explores the depth of God’s goodness — not merely as a theological idea, but as a reality we can hold on to, live by, and experience day by day. 

Life may not always feel good, but God invites us to discover His goodness in every season.

As the psalmist declares:

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” — Psalm 34:8

1. The Goodness of God Is His Nature

When the Psalmist declares, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever,” he is not offering a superficial description. He is pointing to the very essence of God’s being. God does not merely do good things — He is good. His goodness is not dependent on circumstances, emotions, or human behavior. God’s goodness is inseparable from who He is.

To say that God is good means:

• His intentions toward us are always good.
• His plans are rooted in love, wisdom, and perfect understanding.
• His decisions are never tainted by selfishness, injustice, or cruelty.
• His character is flawlessly pure — without any shadow of evil.

The goodness of God forms the foundation of our trust. If God were powerful but not good, we would fear Him. If God were loving but not wise, we would question Him. But because God is infinitely good, His power becomes a refuge, His love becomes dependable, and His wisdom becomes a comfort.

When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God revealed not thunder, lightning, or overwhelming majesty — but His goodness. God said:

“I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you.”
(Exodus 33:19)

What God wanted Moses to understand — and what He wants us to understand — is that His goodness is the greatest revelation of who He is.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
— Psalm 118:1

2. God’s Goodness in Creation

Before sin entered the world, God looked at everything He had made and declared it “good.” See Genesis 1.The world was filled with harmony, beauty, and life. Every part of creation reflected the goodness of the Creator. Read Steps to Christ by EGW [1][2]

Even after the fall, though the world is broken, traces of God’s goodness continue to shine through creation:

• The sunrise that brings light after darkness
• The quiet rhythm of the ocean waves
• The intricate design of nature
• The miracle of life
• The dependable order of seasons
• The small joys that brighten ordinary days

These are reminders that God delights in giving good gifts. Nature is not random; it is a testament to a God who values beauty, order, and life.

Creation whispers daily, “God is good.”

3. God’s Goodness in His Provision

God’s goodness is also seen in the way He provides for His creation. Jesus said:

“Your Father in heaven… sends rain on the just and the unjust.”
(Matthew 5:45)

This is the generosity of God — He provides even for those who do not acknowledge Him. Every breath we take, every beat of our heart, every skill we have, every opportunity that comes, every meal on the table — all of these point to a God who sustains us with loving care.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”  — (Romans 8:28, James 1:17 KJV)

What’s even more profound is that God’s provision goes beyond physical needs. He gives wisdom when we seek direction, strength when we feel weak, peace when we are anxious, and comfort when we mourn. His provision touches every layer of our human experience.

4. God’s Goodness in His Patience

One of the most overlooked aspects of God’s goodness is His patience. Humans are quick to label others as undeserving. But God, in His goodness, patiently works with us even when we fall short.

God’s patience is not passive; it is purposeful. He patiently:

• Draws us closer
• Leads us into maturity
• Gives us time to repent
• Waits for us to understand His ways

The fact that God continues to work with each of us, despite our failures, is a powerful testament of His goodness. His patience is not a sign of weakness — it is a sign of deeply committed love.

5. God’s Goodness in His Discipline

People may often struggle with this thought: How can God be good if He disciplines?

But Scripture describes God’s discipline as an expression of love. It is the same way a loving parent corrects a child — not out of anger, but out of concern and responsibility.

“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” — (Proverbs 3:11,12; See Deut. 8:5–6 KJV)

God disciplines to:

• Protect us from harm
• Shape our character
• Strengthen our faith
• Lead us to what is truly best

The psalmist understood this truth when he prayed:

“Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.”
— Psalm 119:39

Discipline is not the opposite of goodness; it is a facet of goodness. God loves us too much to let us destroy ourselves. When He corrects us, He is guiding us back to the path of life.

6. God’s Goodness Even in Suffering

This is where the truth of God’s goodness becomes hardest to embrace. When we face illness, loss, injustice, or hardship, God’s goodness can feel distant. But suffering does not cancel out God’s goodness. In fact, some of the deepest revelations of His goodness come through the hardest seasons.

Even when we walk through circumstances we do not understand, God’s goodness continues to work behind the scenes. His heart for us is revealed in His promise:

“For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
— Jeremiah 29:11

We may ask, “Why would a good God allow suffering?”
There is no easy answer, but Scripture gives us several anchors:

a. God uses suffering for transformation.

We grow through trials. Hardship refines faith, develops perseverance, and teaches dependence on God.

The Scriptures remind us that God’s correcting hand is not meant to destroy us, but to heal and restore us:

“Happy is the person whom God corrects! Do not resent it when he rebukes you. God bandages the wounds he makes; his hand hurts you, and his hand heals.”— Job 5:17–18 (Good News Translation)

b. God brings good out of evil.

Not everything that happens is good, but God can turn even the darkest circumstance into a testimony of hope and healing.

Jeremiah 29:11 speaks of God’s good plans even during seasons of hardship, uncertainty, or exile.
The context is about Israel going through a painful situation, yet God assuring them that His intentions remain good.

c. God suffers with us.

The cross is the ultimate example of God entering into human suffering — not watching from afar but carrying the weight Himself. Read Isaiah 53

d. God promises restoration.

Every tear, every pain, every moment of sorrow will one day be redeemed.

Suffering does not negate God’s goodness; it magnifies it. Because even in the valley, He walks beside us, whispers His promises, strengthens our hearts, and leads us into hope.

The psalmist affirms this hope with confidence:

“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
— Psalm 34:19

7. God’s Goodness in Salvation

The pinnacle of God’s goodness is seen in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. God’s goodness is not only displayed in the beauty of creation, the blessings of life, or the comfort of His presence — it is supremely displayed in His willingness to give His Son for us.

God did not wait for humanity to deserve His love. He showed His goodness “while we were still sinners.” Salvation is the greatest expression of divine goodness:

• Freedom from guilt
• Victory over sin
• Adoption into God’s family
• Eternal hope beyond death
• Transformation of our hearts

The cross is the clearest picture of how far God’s goodness will go for the sake of love.

The greatest proof of God’s goodness is not found in our circumstances but in His sacrifice.
As Paul writes:

“But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!” — Romans 5:8

8. God’s Goodness Pursues Us

Psalm 23 beautifully affirms:

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

God’s goodness is not passive; it actively pursues His children. This means:

• God does not give up on you.
• He works behind the scenes for your benefit.
• He writes redemption into your story.
• He walks ahead of you, walks beside you, and walks behind you.

Even when we wander, God’s goodness seeks us. Even when we doubt, His goodness remains steady.

9. Responding to God’s Goodness

Understanding God’s goodness invites a response. We do not encounter the goodness of God to stay the same. Here are ways we can respond:

a. Thanksgiving

Recognizing God’s goodness produces gratitude — not for the sake of politeness, but as a natural overflow of wonder.

Scripture calls us to this response:

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18

b. Trust

If God is truly good, then we can trust His timing, His choices, and His plans, especially when we do not understand them.

c. Obedience

God’s commands are not burdens — they are expressions of His goodness. Following Him leads to life, peace, and fulfillment.

d. Worship

When we meditate on God’s goodness, worship becomes an instinct. Our hearts respond to His beauty, kindness, and love.

e. Imitation

We cannot match God’s goodness, but we can reflect it through compassion, forgiveness, generosity, and service.

10. God’s Goodness for You Today

Wherever you are today — whether standing on the mountaintop of joy or walking through the valley of heartbreak — God’s goodness has not changed. His goodness is not dependent on how you feel, what you see, or what circumstances you are facing.

• If you feel overwhelmed: God’s goodness offers strength.
• If you are confused: God’s goodness provides wisdom.
• If you feel alone: God’s goodness draws near.
• If you are burdened with sin: God’s goodness brings forgiveness.
• If you are waiting: God’s goodness is working behind the scenes.
• If you are broken: God’s goodness restores what is lost.

When you cannot trace His hand, you can still trust His heart — because His heart is good.

Conclusion

The goodness of God is more than a comforting idea; it is a life-changing reality. It is the truth that holds us steady in storms, strengthens us in weakness, sustains us in waiting, and fills us with hope for tomorrow.

God is good — eternally good, perfectly good, unfailingly good. And His goodness is not distant or theoretical; it is personal. It is for you.

Every sunrise declares it.
Every answered prayer affirms it.
Every breath is evidence of it.
Every blessing testifies to it.
And every promise in Scripture confirms it.

Today, pause and reflect on the goodness of God. Let it bring comfort to your heart, peace to your mind, and hope to your soul. Let it shape the way you live, love, and walk with Him each day.

God’s goodness is not just something to believe — it is something to experience. And when you encounter it, your life will never be the same.