The question sometimes arises “Is God Good?” This question arises when there is an occurrence of what we have come to call “Natural Disasters”. These disasters include: Hurricanes, Tornados, Earthquakes, and Wildfires (to name a few). Events such as these that bring destruction and loss of life. These events bring to question, for some people, the goodness of God.
To answer the question, “Is God Good?” a few Biblical witnesses have come forward to give their testimonies. Let’s hear a few testimonies from these trustworthy men and women:
- The Fathers of Faith
- The Martyrs of Faith
- The Disciples of Jesus Christ
- The Women of Faith
- The “Diakonos of the Faith”
- The Encouragers of the Faith
Theme: “Is God Good?”
Scriptures:
Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.
Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.
Calling the First Witnesses to the stand to Testify:
The Fathers of Faith witness is: Athanasius
Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296 – 373), an archdeacon and secretary to the bishop Alexander (d. 328) rose to acclaim by rigorously defending the full divinity of Jesus Christ and Jesus’ co-equality with God the Father. Described as a very dark-skinned man of short stature, a hooked nose, and a reddish beard, Athanasius was known for his unrelenting convictions, especially his conviction that the eternal Son of God became human, famously penned in his most influential work “On the Incarnation”. Quote of Athanasius of Alexandria: “For God is good – or rather, of all goodness He is the Fountainhead.”
The Martyrs of Faith witness is: Perpetua and Felicity
A Christian martyr is a person who is killed because of their faith in and testimony for Jesus. The actual prison diary of the young mother and martyr Perpetua records her testimony as she was 22 years old at the time of her death, and a mother of an infant she was nursing. Felicity, a slave imprisoned (with Perpetua) was pregnant at the time she was martyred. Felicity was in the eighth month of her pregnancy at the time she was imprisoned. She gave birth to a daughter two days before her execution, and the baby was adopted by a Christian woman. The sentence was passed that Perpetua and Felicity were to be torn to pieces by wild beasts for their faith in Christ. Both women were put to death along with others at Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. They were completely willing to give their lives for the sake of their faith. Perpetua’s father continually tried to get her to apostatize, to abandon her Christian faith to save her life. But Perpetua continued to refuse. Eye witnesses of their deaths stated that their breasts dripped with mother’s milk as they were being readied to be torn to pieces by wild animals. Perpetua and Felicity’s actions were their testimony of God’s goodness.
The Disciples of Jesus Christ witness is: Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul, is most likely the most well-known, of those giving testimony of God’s goodness. In his own words, the Apostle Paul simply said, “But whatever was an asset to me, I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith… Philippians 3:7-9
The Women of Faith witness is: The Woman with the Alabaster Jar
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor. Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her. The “Woman with the Alabaster Jar” of perfume gave her resources for the sake of honoring the goodness of Jesus and her testimony lives forever. Matthew 26:6-13
The “Diakonos of the Faith” witnesses are: Stephen
When the members of the Sanhedrin (assembly of Jewish leaders) heard the testimony of God’s goodness by Deacon Stephen they became angry. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Stephen said, “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man (Jesus) standing at the right hand of God.” At hearing this the Sanhedrin covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at Stephen, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, Stephen died. The testimony of Stephen regarding God’s goodness was so compelling that it convicted others of their unrighteousness. (From Acts 7)
The Encouragers of the Faith witness is: You and Me
Share your testimony daily of God’s goodness. It will be counted as righteousness unto you and as a testimony of God’s goodness in all life’s circumstances.
Amen.
Proclaim The Christ 