Lamentations 3:25-39 – The Goodness of God
It is not uncommon to hear people ask the question: Why do bad things happen to good people? It is a sincere and honest question as they struggle with the reality of grief, sorrow, and suffering. But it is a misguided question. The Bible never portrays us as “good” people. Rather, it says “No one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12). Perhaps, then, the question should be: why do good things happen to bad people? The answer, of course, is because though we are bad, God is good.
In the first two laments and those that follow it is emphasized that Jerusalem’s destruction has been the direct result of their sin – they are bad people who have done bad and so bad things result. Yet, for all the bad the goodness of God could not be overthrown, he is still good to his people. That is where Jeremiah’s hope directs him: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” (vv 21, 25).
This confident expectation in God’s goodness gives Jeremiah great freedom in coping and dealing with his mournful circumstances. That is to say, the goodness of God allows him to patiently wait (v 26), to bear the yoke of sorrow (v 27), to guard his mouth with humility (vv 28-29), and to endure injury inflicted by others (v 30). That is because Jeremiah knows: “The Lord will not cast forever,” and it is God’s goodness which will disapprove and triumph over the wickedness committed against the Prophet (vv 34-36). Thus he comes not only theologically but experientially to a comforting place: “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?”
Let us learn in our sorrow and pain to lay hold of the goodness of God: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Questions
- Why do good things happen to bad people?
- Why will the goodness of God overcome all things?
- What particular promise does God give his children in Romans 8:28?
Prayer Points
- Pray that the Lord would teach you to wait on him.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.