Is God Good? - Blog

When life seems to fall apart and crisis strikes, the question often arises: is God good? It is easy to believe in the goodness of God when life is going well. But when our lives derail and it doesn’t make any sense, this question often creeps into our thoughts.

For thirteen years, Joseph’s life went completely opposite of what anyone would have wanted. He was sold by his brothers into slavery, the rest of his family thought he was dead, he was put in prison for doing what was right. In prison he interprets the dreams of the chief cupbearer and baker, and has one request for the cupbearer when he is restored – remember me. Despite this, the cupbearer forgot Joseph.

Two years later when Pharoah had a dream that no one could interpret, suddenly the cupbearer remembered. It is finally then when Joseph is not only taken out of prison, but placed as the ruler of Egypt behind only Pharoah. Nine years later he is reconciled to his brothers and father.

Upon his father’s death, a profound scene takes place. Joseph’s brothers are scared that now he will turn on them. They go to him begging for mercy. Joseph’s response is amazing. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” (Gen. 50:20).

We often think that the presence of pain and difficulty is the absence of God’s goodness. Joseph clearly claims that this is not so. When life is hard, God is still good. When you are falsely accused, God is still good. When your life is in the pits for 13 years and you can’t seem to catch a break, God is still good.

While teaching on the life of Joseph, one of my favorite college professors, Dr. Schmutzer, made this statement: “The question is not, ‘Is God good?’ The question is ‘How painful might God’s goodness be in His plan for us?’”

God uses pain to mold us and shape us into Christ’s likeness. In the midst of pain, we need to stop thinking about simply how to escape it, but rather look for how Christ is working in our life through our pain.