Contemplating God

This is the first blog in a series exploring one of the most difficult and important questions of faith. Scripture reveals God as all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscient), entirely good (omnibenevolent), and sovereign over history. Yet these very truths raise a troubling question: If God is truly good, would He allow the magnitude of evil we see in the world? Are we to conclude that such a God would not permit evil or that God Himself is not wholly good? 

In this first part of a series exploring that question, we will begin by looking deeply into the character of God as revealed in Scripture. Understanding who God is, His love, His justice, His power, and His goodness, is essential before we can approach the problem of evil with honesty and hope. 

God Himself reminds us that His ways exceed our understanding:

• “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord…” (Isaiah 55:8–9)
  “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

With humility and prayer, we begin by considering the character of God.

God is Love (1 John 4:8). God’s whole being is love and His creation was an expression of His love. Scripture describes this love as patient and kind, self-giving and enduring. It is a love that does not seek its own and never fails (1 Cor 13:4-8). This love is most clearly revealed in Jesus Christ who freely gave His life for us. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Even while we were still sinners, God demonstrated His love toward us through Christ’s sacrifice (Romans 5:8). 

God’s love is not passive. It is not distant. It is a love that draws us to Himself. “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3). All of creation bears the imprint of this self-giving love. The world was originally designed to give, sustain, and serve life beyond itself, reflecting the character of God. Even now, we see the echoes of this selfless love in creation. “We see the circle of love, the law of life, in everything God creates. In every breath we demonstrate giving: we give away carbon dioxide to the plants, and the plants give back oxygen to us.” (The God Shaped Brain, Dr. Tim Jennings)

This love is inseparable from God’s goodness. To encounter God is to encounter what is truly good: “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Jesus Himself said, “No one is good but One, that is, God” (Mark 10:18). Every good and perfect gift comes from Him (James 1:17). God’s goodness draws thanksgiving from our hearts, “for His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1), and, more deeply still, it leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

God’s goodness is joined to perfect knowledge. He sees every heart, every intention, every path we take. “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether” (Psalm 139:4). Nothing is hidden from His sight (Hebrews 4:13), and yet His knowledge is accompanied by mercy. He declares the end from the beginning and knows all things perfectly (Isaiah 46:9–10). This love, goodness and perfect knowledge calls us to trust in the Lord: “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

The same God whose love draws us close, whose goodness transforms us, and whose knowledge never errs, is able to accomplish all His good will. “There is nothing too hard for You” (Jeremiah 32:17). No purpose of His can be withheld (Job 42:2). His presence fills heaven and earth alike, and His power knows no limit (Psalm 139:7–10; Matthew 19:26). And yet, this power is always exercised in perfect justice and righteousness.

“All His ways are justice” (Deuteronomy 32:4). He shows no partiality and judges rightly, yet His justice is inseparable from His mercy. Though the wages of sin is death, God Himself provided the way for redemption through Christ (Romans 6:22-23). Though we deserved death,  God provided His Son for our salvation, demonstrating the ultimate source of love and sacrifice, even as we see glimpses of such deep love in human grief: as King David cried over his rebellious son, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33). God provided His son for our redemption. In the same way, God gave His Son so that those who are willing might be redeemed. His judgment is never arbitrary or cruel, but flows from the same love that made salvation possible (Psalm 19:9).

Finally, scripture reveals God as faithful. He is steadfast when we are not, constant in His promises, and rich in mercy. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22–23), and He is faithful to call us, keep us, and carry us through every trial (1 Corinthians 1:9).

The Bible presents a God who is perfectly loving, completely good, infinitely wise, all-powerful, just, faithful, and sovereign. As the Creator of all goodness (Mark 10:18), He sees all things clearly, reads the heart, and shows no partiality (Romans 2:11). His justice demands righteousness, yet His love provided the way for us to meet it. All creation will one day recognize this truth and bow before Him (Philippians 2:10). Angels declare His holiness, and even demons acknowledge His authority.

And yet, the question remains: If God is so good, so powerful, so loving, and sovereign over all, why is our world so broken? These are the questions we will explore over the next few blogs.