(Psalm 145:9) If God is truly “good to all,” why does widespread suffering and evil persist throughout human history? I. Introduction: “The LORD is Good to All” (Psalm 145:9) Psalm 145:9 states, “The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made.” Yet the existence of widespread suffering and evil throughout human history raises a significant question: If God is indeed good, why is there so much hardship in the world? The discussion that follows addresses this question by exploring key themes in Scripture, established theological understandings, and relevant historical examples. II. The Goodness of God and the Reality of Evil A. The Biblical Portrait of God’s Goodness Scripture consistently affirms God’s inherent goodness. In Genesis 1:31, after creating the heavens and the earth, “God saw all that He had made, and indeed it was very good.” This establishes that evil and suffering were not part of the original creation order. Throughout the Psalms, God is praised for His compassion, mercy, and steadfast love (Psalm 86:15; Psalm 145:8). B. The Emergence of Evil and Suffering Human free will and the subsequent Fall (Genesis 3) introduced sin and death into the world. Romans 5:12 explains: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” As a result, creation itself suffers from corruption (Romans 8:20–22). Evil and suffering are thus not reflections of God’s character, but consequences of humanity’s rebellion and the broken state of the world. III. The Role of Human Freedom A. Free Will and Moral Evil In granting humans genuine freedom, God created the possibility that individuals could choose to reject Him. Moral evil—acts such as violence, betrayal, greed—arises from the willful misuse of this freedom. Although “The LORD is gracious and compassionate” (Psalm 145:8), He allows human decisions to play out in real time. Scripture consistently calls people to repentance (Acts 17:30), demonstrating that many aspects of moral evil persist due to continued rejection of God’s ways. B. Why God Permits Choices God’s willingness to respect human freedom (Deuteronomy 30:19) allows for love to be genuine. If God compelled obedience, love would become coercion, stripping away meaningful relationship. This gift of free will also makes moral development and growth in character possible, as humans learn to choose what is right out of gratitude and reverence for God. IV. The Origin of Natural Suffering A. Creation’s Groaning Beyond moral evil, the Bible teaches that creation itself was subjected to futility because of sin (Romans 8:20–22). Earthquakes, famines, diseases, and other natural calamities often fall under the category termed “natural evil.” These hardships are not part of God’s original intent; rather, they reflect the brokenness that descended upon the created order after the Fall (Genesis 3:17–19). B. God’s Goodness in Nature Despite these disturbances, signs of God’s goodness remain evident throughout nature. Psalm 145:15–16 emphasizes: “The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Even in a world marred by the consequences of sin, God upholds His creation and demonstrates common grace through provisions such as food, rain, sunshine, and the capacity for renewal (Matthew 5:45). V. Divine Intervention and Redemptive Purpose A. Biblical Accounts and Modern-Day Miracles Scripture records many instances of God’s intervention to alleviate suffering (e.g., the healings by Jesus in the Gospels, the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus). Anecdotal examples and testimonies from across the world further suggest that miraculous healings and divine rescues continue. These events showcase God’s benevolent involvement and foreshadow the complete restoration He promises (Revelation 21:4). B. The Larger Redemptive Plan While suffering continues in the present, the Bible presents a narrative of hope. Jesus Christ embraced human suffering on the cross—1 Peter 2:24 states, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree…”—providing atonement for sin. God’s ultimate plan involves the eradication of pain, mourning, and death in the new creation (Revelation 21:3–4). In the meantime, trials can refine character (James 1:2–4) and draw individuals closer to a loving God. VI. Historical and Archaeological Corroboration of Biblical Reliability A. Archaeological Findings Archaeological discoveries consistently affirm the historical roots of biblical narratives. For example, the Tel Dan Inscription references the “House of David,” supporting King David as a real historical figure in line with Old Testament accounts. The Pilate Stone, unearthed in Caesarea Maritima, confirms the existence of Pontius Pilate, directly correlating with the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. B. Consistency of the Manuscripts The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the 20th century, verify the reliability of Hebrew Scripture transmission over centuries. Passages like the Great Isaiah Scroll contain the same Messianic prophecies seen in modern translations. These corroborations point to a trustworthy biblical record that accurately describes both the goodness of God and humanity’s propensity for evil. VII. Philosophical and Behavioral Insights A. The Evidence of Brokenness The universal presence of evil and suffering aligns with the Scriptural teaching that humanity is fallen and in need of redemption (Romans 3:23). Societies throughout history have wrestled with moral guidelines and legal systems to check evil, hinting that something fundamental is out of order. The Bible explains that this discord is rooted in humanity’s estrangement from God. B. The Invitation to Trust The Christian life involves trusting God’s character and promises, even when suffering persists. Romans 8:28 assures believers, “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.” Such trust does not invalidate the reality of pain; instead, it provides a perspective in which the believer can see divine purpose, comfort, and ultimately, victory. VIII. The Eschatological Assurance A. Future Restoration Scripture’s closing chapters (Revelation 21–22) present a future where God eradicates sin and its consequences. Revelation 21:4 promises: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” This vision showcases God’s goodness fully triumphing over evil, fulfilling the hope believers hold even amid affliction. B. The Joy of Redemption The resurrection of Jesus Christ offers a foretaste of this promised future. As 1 Corinthians 15:20–22 clarifies, Christ is the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep,” ensuring that His victory over death heralds the eventual resurrection and restored life for all who trust in Him. Such a redemptive plan underscores the ultimate goodness of God, demonstrated in the strongest possible way. IX. Conclusion: Holding Firm to God’s Goodness Psalm 145:9 asserts that God is “good to all” and that His compassion rests on all He has made. The ongoing presence of suffering and evil arises from humanity’s rebellion and the resultant fractured state of creation. Yet throughout history—supported by scriptural accounts, archaeological validation, and personal testimonies—God has continuously shown grace, intervened in miraculous ways, and revealed a redemptive plan culminating in Christ’s resurrection. Although suffering and evil persist, they do so only until God’s plan reaches its final chapter. In the meantime, He demonstrates patience, compassion, and faithfulness, inviting all people to seek refuge in Him (Matthew 11:28). In the end, the very God who is “good to all” will make all things new, eradicating suffering forever in the promised new creation. |
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