The Goodness Of God Scripture

The goodness of God has always created a great divide between the faithful who believe in the existence of a Creator and the unbelievers who claim that there is no God. In the middle are the skeptics and agnostics, who waver in the truth of God’s presence.

According to a Gallup 2022 survey, a large majority of U.S. adults believe in God, but the 81% who do so is the lowest in Gallup’s trend. Sociologists also estimate that there are around 500 million nonbelievers worldwide, comprising about 7% of the global population.

Believers cling to the veracity of God’s Word and claim that God is good because he heals them of pain, brokenness, and disease. On the other hand, unbelievers and atheists declare that a good God cannot exist because of the tragedy, famine, war, hatred, and untimely deaths that occur in their families and elsewhere.

How Do You View The Goodness Of God?

God Is Good

The Beauty Of Creation

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

— Genesis 1:31

In Genesis 1, we read about how God exclaims the goodness of his creation[1] six times. When we walk into a park, we immediately sense the orderliness and beauty of life and the wonderful works he has made. We reflect on his goodness in providing us with a loving family and working to bring food to the table.

We also exalt his magnificence when we feel the wind sweeping across the verdant trees and smell the scintillating aroma of green grass. He is the God of order when we look up to the sky and witness the constellation of suns, stars, and heavenly bodies in the cosmos moving with clockwork precision—to nourish and sustain life on all the earth.

We Are Made In His Likeness

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

— Genesis 1:27

God breathed life into the nostrils of Adam. This breath bears God’s wonderful image, making them perfect, immortal, and endowed with godly attributes.

He bestowed upon us the Holy Spirit as part of our being, besides our physical body. God is spirit, and he only shared this divine aspect with us, not with any other living creation—plant, fish, bird, animal, or another living organism. Our identity as his most important and beloved creation holds the imprint of his intrinsic goodness.

Dominion Over All Creation

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

— Genesis 1:26

We are God’s representatives on Earth, and he gave us the right and power to rule over all other creations. God’s goodness manifested itself when he entrusted us with this glorious authority and responsibility. But God meant that such goodness requires that we exercise righteous duty and restraint in harnessing life and resources on earth for our benefit.

The Gift Of Free Will 

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden.”

— Genesis 2:16

As his most beloved creation, the Lord God wants us to be essentially free. The power of choice gives us dignity in the ways in which we conduct our lives. This gift and authority extend to, among other things, choosing what food to eat, what clothes to wear, what career to take, and who to marry. The freedom of choice mirrors the sovereign quality of God.

God’s Providence And Provision

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

— 2 Peter 1:3

God’s benevolent care for us manifests itself in his right guidance in our everyday lives. His primary concern is to veer us from sin that will damage our holiness and from anything that will inflict pain, sickness, and disease.

Equally important, he is also our Great Provider, who graciously provides all of our daily needs for our sustenance—food, clothing, and other essentials.

God Is Not Good

There Is No God

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, and there is no one who does good.

— Psalm 14:1

The number of atheists and unbelievers worldwide is growing. The rampant increase in sin, immorality, brokenness, tragedy, pain, natural disasters, disease, and poverty leads many people to deny, question, or doubt the existence of God.

They cling to the science of everything and believe that life emanated from the Big Bang concept or that humanity evolved from minuscule cells in a warm pond billions of years ago. Their faith in a divine being or creator is replaced by their preference to believe in logic and pragmatic thinking.

A Good God Does Not Allow Suffering

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

— 1 Peter 4:12

Many people question God’s existence or goodness because of the pains and bad things that happen in their lives and to the rest of humanity. They ask: How can God be good if he allows innocent children to be killed by a missile blast in Ukraine? How can he allow 9 million people to die of hunger each year? Why did he let my 6-year-old innocent child suffer from leukemia? Why are my prayers not being answered?

These nagging, but real-life inquiries, lead them to believe that a good God does not exist in the first place. They declare there is no God and they adhere to the essence of Invictus—”I am the master of my fate and captain of my soul.”

Does The Goodness Of God Never End?

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

— Psalm 23:6

The Bible says that love is eternal. The love of God is the primary reason we were created. He made us perfect and immortal and provided all that we needed in the Garden. The Lord is good, and we are to love God above all.

But the sin and disobedience of our first parents led to the fall of mankind. As a result, we all suffer from death and pain. This paradigm has led us to believe that God’s goodness is selective and temporary.

Despite our sinfulness, however, God still loves us. God’s nature doesn’t change. He sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from the yoke of sin and give us life eternal. His love abounds now and in eternity.

Is It True That Only The Goodness Of God Is Good?

Only God Is Good

Why do you ask me about what is good? Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

— Matthew 19:17

One day a rich young man asked Jesus Christ, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?“ (v. 16) The encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler reveals that goodness is the sole essence of God.

We sometimes feel that goodness is an inherent quality of man. Pride often overtakes us when we declare we are good because we passed an exam or donated some money to charity. We also claim our child is good because he earned an Olympic medal or passed an exam for a reputable college. However, we are mistaken in attributing these victories to our own efforts and creations.

We forget that all things good emanate from our Heavenly Father. We are mere vessels on earth that are imperfect, frail, and proud. God shows in the Scriptures that no such things are good unless it comes from or is endorsed by God. The Lord is good, and his steadfast love endures forever. We must have faith for “all things work together for good for those who love God” (Romans 8:28).

The Masquerade Of Satan

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent told the woman. For God knows that when you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

— Genesis 3:4

The Holy Bible says that Satan is the “Father of All Lies.” He is the Master Trickster who deceives us into thinking that he is good and that his ways are good. In the Garden of Eden, the devil was able to deceive Eve into believing that she could eat the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden and become good and wise, contrary to the command of the Lord.

Today, the crafty serpent still lives in our midst. He whispers to us: Take drugs and be high. It’s good! Commit adultery with that lovely girl in the office! Cheat on your taxes; everybody is doing it!

In the desert, the devil lured the Lord Jesus Christ with all the richness and splendor of this earth. But Satan eventually failed because he was dealing with our Almighty Lord. As imperfect children of God, we are prone to succumb to the wiles of the enemy, which make us believe that Satan and sin are good.

The Goodness Of God Seen Through Jesus

When contemplating a God merciful and gracious like our Father, it is undeniable that his goodness is embodied in Christ Jesus. We see God’s goodness and steadfast love through Jesus’ life, teachings, and actions.

God’s Goodness In Jesus’ Teachings

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

— Psalm 34:8

In Jesus’ teachings, we find a profound reflection of God’s goodness. Jesus assured his disciples and all who would listen that God is merciful, that he desires all the nations to experience his goodness (Matthew 12:18-21), and that anyone who takes refuge in him will also experience the goodness of God.

God’s Goodness In Jesus’ Actions

Jesus’ life is a testimony to how God shows his goodness. As God anointed Jesus with his divine power (Acts 10:38), he manifested his goodness through his actions. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, and comforted the broken-hearted.

In doing so, he demonstrated God’s power and the goodness of God through tangible acts of compassion and care. He emphasized the importance of giving good gifts to others, mirroring the generous nature of God (Matthew 7:11).

God’s Goodness In Jesus’ Sacrifice

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

— John 10:11

The pinnacle of God’s goodness is evident in Jesus’ ultimate act of love—His sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus Christ died to redeem humanity from sin and reconcile us with God. Through his sacrifice, we witness the extent of God’s love and the lengths he would go to restore a broken relationship.

As the sun rises each day, so did Jesus rise from the grave, triumphing over sin and death, offering the promise of eternity to all who believe. For this, we must praise him for his steadfast love endures forever.

What Does The Goodness Of God Lead Us To?

Repentance

Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

—Romans 2:4

As imperfect and sinful creations of God, our fallibility manifests itself in our daily lives. God knows our frailty, and it is his utmost aim to not let us remain in our iniquities. As a stroke of his holiness, God reveals and provides his goodness in the somber moments of our lives, reminding us of his love for us. The Lord is good because Christ died for our sins. It is because of God’s kindness, we are led to redemption.

Psalm 25:6-7 says, “Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!”

God’s great love and the meaning of the cross draw us to Him in repentance. The Lord heard the pleas for repentance of our forefathers, and he listens to us. His steadfast love endures forever. In Scripture, God says that the good Lord pardons repentant sinners who walk humbly before a watching world.

God focuses on our acts of repentance and not the sins of our past. His goodness and patience with us cause us to reconsider our heinous behavior. Ultimately, his goodness compels us to be in his presence.

Faith

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.

— Matthew 17:20

When we are convinced of the goodness of our invisible God, we magnify our faith in him. We start to honor him and long to always be in his presence. Our intrinsic faith begins to build up. We learn how to pray without ceasing, meditate on his words, and attend church gatherings.

When we cultivate faith, Bible verses reveal God’s goodness and divine nature. Our faith, like a small mustard seed, grows in tandem and reciprocity with God’s increasing goodness.

Furthermore, our faith allows us to trust in him, especially during times of trouble and hardships where it’s difficult to overcome evil. As faithful children of God, he also remains faithful to us. Genesis 50:20 reads: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things, there is no law.

— Galatians 5:22–23

We know God is good because of the clear workings of the Spirit in our lives. When we were sinners, we deplored God, and this separation produced a flurry of anomalies in our character and personality. We turn proud, arrogant, angry, and unhappy.

But once the Spirit of God dwells in us, we undergo a total change in our lives. Our body is the holy temple of God. We become a new creation in Christ and experience his fundamental goodness as we exude love for him and for our neighbors. Moreover, we delight in our existence and enjoy the blessed fruits of the Holy Spirit; this is the effect of God’s kindness.

Redemption

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

— John 3:16

God’s goodness was revealed when he sent his only begotten son, Christ Jesus, to take away the sins of the world. God’s final plan and intention are to bring us back to perfection and give us eternal life. The ultimate act of his steadfast love was manifested through his only Son whose sacrifice was the perfect gift to mankind.

It was through the incarnation of Christ that atonement for our sins was accomplished. As an everlasting covenant, Christ Jesus crushed death and ushered salvation into all of mankind. We are redeemed, knowing that our triumphant destiny awaits in eternity.

God desires nothing more than to save us, his children. He is always good to those who seek him. Lamentations 3:25-26 reads: “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

Should We Praise The Goodness Of God?

And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

— Exodus 33:19

God’s goodness inherently manifests and permeates from the start of creation until we reach everlasting life. Such magnificent attributes and generosity demand that we praise and worship him as our Lord and Creator. When we raise his holy name and sing praises, we exalt him above all else as our sovereign God, who gives us life and provides for all our needs.

A primary reason why God created us is to have a holy fellowship with him. The Lord made this goodness pass through all generations and to all nations. God’s loving devotion endures forever.

We are made in his likeness to have a reciprocating relationship with God. A pious rapport with the Holy Spirit requires sincerity and the cleansing of all your souls—unblemished from the bondage of sin.

Our exaltation to God is not only limited when things are going well in our lives but also when we are mired in darkness and pain. We need to honor God and have faith in him. Psalm 107:9 reads: “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” In the face of imminent danger, Bible verses reveal that David and Daniel praised God. Praise and worship are eternal engagements with our holy God.

Moreover, we need not only to express our gratitude to our bosses who give us our pay or to our spouses who care for us but must also honor God, who exudes steadfast love and gives all things for our sustenance on Earth.

The Lord is good because his steadfast love endures forever and he rewards good gifts to those who deserve them. Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

Nothing is sweeter in God’s sight and ears than when we bow down in prayer, raise our voices in the church, or meditate on his Word. We are made to worship and praise God now and in all eternity.

25 Astonishing Verses That Show The Goodness Of God Scripture

God leads us to meditate on these bible verses to realize all his good promises on earth and abundant goodness in heaven.

But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.

— Psalm 109:21

The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 

— Exodus 34:6

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

— 1 Chronicles 16:34

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.”

— Ezra 3:11

Good and upright is the Lord;  therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. — Psalm 25:8

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

— Psalm 23:6

The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. 

— Psalm 145:9

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.” 

— Mark 10:18

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

— James 1:17

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

— Matthew 7:11

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

— Psalm 27:13

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

— 1 Timothy 4:4–5

They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

— Psalm 145:6–7

Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

— Lamentations 3:22–23

He loves righteousness and justice, and the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

— Psalm 33:5

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

— Psalm 136:1

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

— Psalm 100:4-5

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

— 2 Peter 1:3

As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

— Psalm 103:13–14

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

— Psalm 143:10

The Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

— Psalm 92:15

You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.

— Psalm 119:68

You also gave Your good spirit to instruct them, did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst.

— Nehemiah 9:20

Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

— Psalm 69:16

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who trust in Him.

— Nahum 1:7

Conclusion

God demonstrated his utter goodness at the beginning of creation. We were made in his likeness, and our essential being is to have a loving fellowship with him. When we see and hear the chirping of the birds, the coming of the rains to drench the sun-scorched ground, and the crying of a newborn baby, we conclude that the Lord is good.

We also arrive at the realization that there is good in the pain and suffering we encounter on earth. God disciplines and punishes us for our rebellion and sins. His utter goodness manifests in the power of choice—the free will that we possess in our daily existence. The fullness of God’s goodness awaits us in eternity.