Trekking through the wilderness for miles. Sleeping in caves. Scaling mountains to escape danger.

David, the chosen king of Israel, was running for his life. Saul, the king God rejected, was hunting David like an animal.

During this dark season in his life, David wrote many psalms, including Psalm 31.

Biblical Examples of Those Who Trust God’s Goodness

Despite his suffering, David trusted in God’s goodness when his life was not good. His great-grandmother Ruth also trusted the Lord when she chose to follow Naomi and her God, even though her husband had just died.

The Bible tells us that things turned out well for Ruth, David, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. But at the time, none of them knew that everything would be well. Yet they trusted God through their tough circumstances.

Why We Can Trust God’s Goodness

How can believers today confidently say that God is good in seasons of chaos, grief, and tragedy?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” -Proverbs 3:5-6

God has a reason for every painful thing that happens in life, whether it’s to deepen faith in Him or to expand His Kingdom.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18

Around the time that David wrote Psalm 31, he also wrote Psalm 34. He knew the Lord was near to him while he fled from Saul, hid in caves, and was separated from his loved ones.

Life is incredibly difficult at times, and believers are free to feel sorrow and heartache while believing that God is still good.

“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!” -Psalm 31:19, ESV