God Is Good All The Time: Biblical Meaning

As a Christian, you’ve probably heard the catchphrase; God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good. Well, it’s easy to declare it when our lives seem to be running smoothly like a well-oiled machine. It gets harder to confess that God is good when there’s a wedge in the gears.

So when we lose a loved one, a job, a house, or are diagnosed with a terminal illness, doubt creeps in and we begin to ask ourselves “Is God really good?”, “If He’s really good, then why am I going through so much pain?”

We forget that God’s goodness is in His nature and not a function of how things are going in our lives. It will take a little more faith and a little more understanding of God’s goodness to confess it in turbulent times.

What Makes God Good?

God’s very essence is goodness. It is love. This means that as long as He exists, He will be good. No factor controls His goodness, God is good all the time.

In fact, ‘good’ began with God. We associate the word “good” with people but forget that God made people in His own image. So whatever form of goodness people exhibit is only a blurry copy of the goodness that is God.

Jesus in Mark 10:18 says, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” He is what it means to be good.

We can see God’s goodness in His generosity, commitment, and loyal love toward us. The Hebrew word for the kind of love God shows is “khesed.”

According to The Bible Project, there is no word in English that compares to it.

A God that gave up Himself out of eternal love for a people who don’t deserve it and probably wouldn’t return it is goodness in itself. That is the ‘God is good’ meaning.

What Does the Bible Say About God’s Goodness?

From Scripture, we can point out a couple of characteristics of God’s goodness.

• It is merciful.

Psalm 86:5 says,“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You.” 

God’s goodness is always ready to forgive those who ask for His mercy.

• His goodness is faithful and kind.

Psalm 100:5 says, “For the LORD is good; His loving kindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.”

Even when we are unfaithful to God and let our negative emotions control us, God is understanding and doesn’t change His stance.

• It is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1 says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

God lives forever and that’s how long He’ll be good.

• It leads to repentance.

Romans 2:4 says, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.”

Even as He remains good to those who sin against Him, God’s ultimate desire is that they repent and turn to Him.

• It is consistent.

James 1:17 says, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

Despite our doubts and flaws, God’s goodness remains unshaken.

• His goodness is a refuge.

Nahum 1:7 says, “The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.”

In the midst of the darkness that fills the world, God’s goodness is a light that we can hold on to.

Is God Good To Everyone?

Unlike humans who have the tendency to be good to only those who are good to them, God’s nature is goodness so He can’t help but be good to everyone. Psalm 145:9 says, 

“The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.”

Matt 5:45 also makes it clear that God gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. God doesn’t discriminate against people and shows everyone mercy if they ask for it and repent. If He wasn’t good to everyone, salvation wouldn’t be a free gift.

However, it doesn’t mean that God endorses evil. He is a just God. So regardless of His goodness, He will dole out punishment or rewards to all men according to their deeds.

Who Came up With God Is Good All The Time?

God has always been good all the time, but in 1988 Don Moen released a song titled “God Is Good All the time”. It was a gospel song written by Dean McIntyre and it became popularly sung in churches and amongst believers.

Most people believe it to be the original of the popular catchphrase ‘God is good, all the time and all the time, God is good’.

Final Thoughts

Just like the Israelites when they wandered through the wilderness for 40 years and complained whenever they ran out of water or food, we also tend to complain when the going gets tough. After all, we’re only human.

Always remember that God always showed up with a water source and manna each time in His goodness. Don’t focus on the circumstance. Allow your tough times and the Holy Spirit to help you learn to lean more on God’s goodness. It never changes and never ends. God is good all the time, let that revelation be your anchor and hope.

A Prayer About God’s Goodness.

Lord, thank You for being so good. Thank you for loving and caring for me. Goodness is innate within You. It is who You are. I hold fast to this truth in light of this world that is spinning out of control.
Strengthen our hearts as we wait on You, Lord. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but You, Lord has promised to deliver us out of them all.
Keep Your face ever before us as we consider Your ways.
Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for the hope You bring us, a hope for a better day. We will wait on You with this hope in our hearts, not focused on our circumstances, but focused on who You say You are. Amen.