Woe be unto me if I prescribe how people should talk. I have made it known that I do not like to use the phrase: “God has been good to me” because there seems to be an implication in that statement that God’s actions toward me are sometimes less than good. I have interacted with those who joyfully proclaim the goodness of God when things have been pleasant. But when confronted with unpleasant circumstances, they are quick to hold God accountable and question His trustworthiness.
It is natural for us to judge the worthiness of our object of trust by the benefits we receive. Satan’s accusation against God was that Job worshiped Him only for the privileges he received from God. Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to your face (Job 1:10–11). In other words, in Himself, God is not worthy of Job’s trust and worship. Yes, God is free to do as He chooses – no argument there. But He bribes Job for his confidence. Job’s response is instructive, The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21). Job’s focus did not remain on his immediate situation for his reality was anchored in a bigger picture; I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold (Job 19:25–27).
Certainly, Job expressed a great deal of lament, and he questioned God’s silence. But when God finally spoke, Job was reminded that his understanding was far from complete – as is ours. God has perfect understanding; He knows perfectly what is good for us. His purposes for us are only good. His goodness is not just in His actions but is one of His attributes. The Lord is good. Therefore, everything He does is good. The Psalmist recognized this when he stated, You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord (Psalm 119:65). Yes, that sounds like “The Lord has been good to me”, but the context is unpleasantness. He has experienced an affliction, and in its wake, he declares the Lord’s goodness. Why? Before I was afflicted I went astray (v67), but You are good and do good (v68). Then, it is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes (v71).
It is acceptable to use the phrase “The Lord has been good to me.” But one must be consistent. Is the Lord good when things are pleasant, but not when things are unpleasant? Gracious gratitude expresses the goodness of God in the wake of unpleasant circumstance because it is anchored in who God is, not in the pleasantness of my experience. Indeed, part of the goodness of God is that the brokenness of this fallen created order directs our gaze to His perfection and creates a thirst for His presence. Do you know one who has suffered long and hard, yet affirms that God has been good? There are some among us – they are God’s gift to you. Thank Him.
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