How can believers reconcile God's goodness in Psalm 119:68 with the existence of suffering? Canonical Placement and Immediate Context Psalm 119 is an acrostic meditation on the perfections of God’s word. Verse 68 reads, “You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes” . The psalmist’s conviction is anchored in Yahweh’s character and actions. The verse is framed by requests for teaching amid affliction (vv. 67, 71), indicating that the tension between divine goodness and human pain is built into the psalm itself. Biblical Testimony of God’s Goodness • Exodus 34:6–7 presents Yahweh as “abounding in goodness.” • James 1:17 declares every good gift flows from the “Father of lights.” • Romans 8:28 ties goodness to God’s sovereign orchestration for those who love Him. These passages collectively ground goodness in unchanging divine character rather than fluctuating human circumstances. The Reality of Suffering in a Fallen Creation Genesis 3 describes the rupture that introduced death, decay, and moral evil. Romans 8:20–22 portrays creation “subjected to futility” and “groaning.” Suffering, therefore, is not contradictory to God’s goodness but evidences humanity’s rebellion and the consequent cosmic disorder. Geological phenomena (e.g., global flood strata containing vast fossil graveyards such as those at the Grand Canyon) provide physical testimony of judgment upon sin while showcasing preservation (ark narratives in Mesopotamian flood traditions corroborate Genesis’ historicity). Such cataclysms are both punitive and preservative—judgment and rescue intertwined. Compatibilism: Sovereign Goodness Amid Evil Acts Genesis 50:20: “You intended evil against me, but God intended it for good.” This dual-aspect intention shows God can employ human wrongdoing without Himself becoming its author. Acts 2:23 applies the same logic to the crucifixion—human malice fulfills God’s redemptive plan. Christological Fulfillment of Psalm 119:68 Jesus embodies perfect goodness (John 10:11 – “the good shepherd”) and affirms, “No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). His incarnate life validates divine goodness by entering suffering (Philippians 2:6-8) and conquering it through resurrection. The historical case for the resurrection rests on minimal facts affirmed by critical scholars: the empty tomb, post-mortem appearances, and the disciples’ transformation—documented in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 within two decades of the event, preserved in manuscripts such as P46 and 𝔓75. Purpose-Oriented Discipline Psalm 119:67,71 links affliction to learning: “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word… It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your statutes” . Hebrews 12:10-11 echoes this pedagogy; divine discipline yields “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Historical and Experiential Evidences of God’s Goodness • The preservation of Israel through exiles and diasporas fulfills covenant promises (Jeremiah 31:35-37). • Modern documented healings—such as the instantaneous restoration of sight verified by ophthalmologists at the Global Medical Research Institute—mirror New Testament patterns, attesting that the God who “does what is good” still intervenes. • Archaeological confirmation of biblical settings (e.g., the Pool of Siloam excavations, Isaiah’s seal impression, and the Tel Dan inscription referencing the “House of David”) grounds the narrative of redemption in verifiable history, reinforcing trust in the God depicted. Practical Outworking for Believers 1. Lament honestly—Scripture allows questioning (Psalm 13); lament anchors pain in covenant hope. 2. Seek wisdom—Trials drive believers to the Word where God’s statutes interpret experience. 3. Serve others—2 Corinthians 1:4 teaches comfort received becomes comfort shared, transforming suffering into ministry. 4. Fix hope on resurrection—1 Peter 1:3-7 frames present grief within imperishable inheritance. Synthesized Answer Believers reconcile God’s goodness with suffering by recognizing: • God’s nature is immutably good (Psalm 119:68). • Suffering arises from a fallen world, not divine malevolence. • God sovereignly employs affliction for redemptive purposes, culminating in Christ’s cross and resurrection. • Scriptural, historical, scientific, and experiential evidences cohere to demonstrate that the God who “is good and does good” remains worthy of trust, worship, and obedience even amid pain. |
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