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The Goodness Of God

This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city. And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant. But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away. And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed. Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?” “Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!” Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. Then the LORD said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” JONAH 4:1-11 NLT

Is God really Good?

God’s goodness to others can reveal what’s bad in me

This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the LORD about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, LORD! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” JONAH 4:1-3 NLT

God’s goodness to others can reveal a sinful spirit of…

Pride

Competition

Comparison

Jealousy

Nationalism

God is still good to me, even when I have been bad to Him

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 TIMOTHY 2:13 NLT

This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty.  MATTHEW 5:45 MSG

The LORD replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city. And the LORD God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant. JONAH 4:4-6 NLT

Identify when you experience God’s goodness

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. JAMES 1:16-17 NLT

God is still

good

even if he allows me to

go through bad things

But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away. And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed. Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”  “Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!” JONAH 4:7-9 NLT

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? JEREMIAH 17:9 ESV

Jesus answered. “No one is good — except God alone. MARK 10:18 NIV

God’s goodness drives every decision he makes

Then the LORD said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” JONAH 4:10-11 NLT

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

ISAIAH 55:8-9 NLT

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4 NIV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Locate a quiet place that will help you clear your thinking and calm your emotions. Ask God for His help to prepare and guide you through this time. Take a few deep breaths. When you sense you are ready, commit your time to Him for His purposes. Think about the goodness of God. Ask Him to help you recall big moments and recent situations in which you have experienced His goodness. Thank Him for each of these instances. Talk with God about these experiences, asking Him some questions like: What is happening in your life when you are questioning God’s goodness? What is it about these situations that challenges your confidence that God is good? Do your thoughts and feelings accurately reflect who God is as revealed in Scripture? What bigger picture might God want to reveal to you that would change your perspective and feelings towards God’s goodness? If you are in a difficult season or situation, ask God to show you His goodness for hope and strength. Jonah was angered by God’s mercy toward the people of Nineveh. Spend some time praying for God to show you any sinful ways that are hindering your acceptance of His goodness toward others. Ask Him to forgive and transform you in these areas. Invite God’s goodness into the decisions you make and the relationships you encounter this week. Close your time praying over the Election, surrendering the outcome to God. Commit to an action this week that reminds you of God’s goodness and that God’s heart is to save and heal all people, regardless of the Election outcomes.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: What is one of the best moments of your life?
  2. START HERE: Read James 1:16-17 (NLT). Great moments are not just signs there is a God, but that God is good. How have you experienced God’s goodness?

  3. START HERE: How have hard things helped shape who you are today?
  4. KEEP GOING: When is a time that you have questioned the goodness of God? What was the situation and what did your response reveal about your beliefs about God’s goodness?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT). Have you ever been offended by God’s grace towards someone who you think doesn’t deserve it? What does this reveal about your own heart (pride, unhealthy competition, comparison, jealousy, etc.)?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Jonah 4:4-6 (NLT). When has God been good to you even when you did not deserve it?
  7. LIVE IT OUT: What practice or habit can you incorporate to remind yourself that God is still good when you go through hardships and suffering?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: Read Isaiah 55:6-9 (NLT). How can you focus this week on the fact that God is working regardless of the outcome to bring about salvation and healing to our broken world.