If God is Good, why.....?

So often I have heard or read these words. They are usually connected to a question like "then why am I sick and in pain," or "then why did He not hear my prayers and let my mother die?" "If God is good He wouldn't let there be evil in this world," is another version of the same thing.

After reading Hebrews 5:7-10 it became even more clear to me the answer to these questions. Even Jesus cried loudly to the Father with tears to save Him from the terrible death He knew was coming. The Father heard the cries of His Son because He loved Him and Jesus had such reverence for His Father; but the Father did not answer Jesus' prayer by saving Him from death. God answered His prayer by raising Him from the grave! Jesus'death, though He prayed to be delivered from it, was for the good of His people and the glory of His Father. And verse 8 says "He learned obedience through what He suffered." We too learn obedience to God our Father through that which we suffer, whether we are delivered from that suffering or not.

Does God hear all prayers of His people? Yes! Does He always answer like we think He should? No! But He always answers Yes or better. Was God good to not answer yes to Christ's supplication? Yes! Was God good to allow His Son such a painful death? Yes! Is He good when He allows death and suffering now? Yes! From it He is glorified and His people learn obedience.