Biblical Assurance in Times of Trouble and Suffering
Biblical assurance in times of trouble and suffering is rooted in the conviction that God is a constant refuge and source of strength for the afflicted [1, 2]. This assurance is not a naive expectation of an absence of suffering, but rather a steadfast trust in God's presence and support amidst adversity [9].
The Scriptures frequently portray God as actively involved in the lives of those who suffer. For instance, Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble" [2]. This theme is echoed throughout the Psalms and prophetic books, where God is described as comforting, preserving, and delivering His people [1]. Even when facing pain and distress, the psalmist expresses a desire for God's salvation and protection [4]. The New Testament reinforces this, noting that Christ is with believers, supports them, comforts them, and preserves them, even delivering them from tribulation [1].
Assurance itself is described as a "fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt" [3]. This full assurance is produced by faith, made complete by hope, and confirmed by love [6]. It is an effect of righteousness and is abundant in the understanding of the gospel [6]. Believers are privileged to have assurance regarding their election, redemption, adoption, salvation, and eternal life, as well as the unalienable love of God and their union with God and Christ [6].
While Christians can expect to face hostility and trials in a sinful world, they are encouraged not to be surprised by these difficulties [9]. Instead, they are called to pray under affliction, seeking God's consideration of their trouble, His presence and support, divine comfort, mitigation of troubles, and deliverance [5]. This includes praying for pardon and deliverance from sin, and for divine teaching and direction [5]. The word of God itself serves as a comfort in affliction, quickening the believer [10].
The concept of "waiting upon God" is also central to finding assurance in suffering. This involves waiting on God as the God of providence and salvation, the giver of all blessings, and for His mercy, pardon, consolation, guidance, protection, and the fulfillment of His word and promises [7]. God's protection is described as indispensable, seasonable, unfailing, effectual, uninterrupted, encouraging, and perpetual [8]. This protection is afforded to those who hearken to God, returning sinners, the perfect in heart, and the poor [8]. The resurrection of Jesus is presented as God's pledge that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance, providing a foundational assurance [3].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
- Psalms “Psalms 46:1 (BSB) — God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Psalms “But I am in pain and distress. Let your salvation, God, protect me. -- Psalms 69:29”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Protection — God is able to afford -- 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. God is faithful to afford -- 1Th 5:23,24; 2Th 3:3. Of God is Indispensable. -- Ps 127:1. Seasonable. -- Ps 46:1. Unfailing. -- De 31:6; Jos 1:5. Effectual. -- Joh 10:28-30; 2Co 12:9. Uninterrupted. -- Ps 121:3. Encouraging. -- Isa 41:10; 50:7. Perpetual. -- Ps 121:8. Often afforded through means inadequate in themselves. -- Jdj 7:7; 1Sa 17:45,50; 2Ch 14:11. Is afforded to Those who hearken to God. -- Pr 1:33. Returning sinners. -- Job 22:23,25. The perfect in heart. -- 2Ch 16:9. The poor. -- Ps 14:6; 72:12-14.”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:48: This is my comfort in my affliction,.... David had his afflictions, and so has every good man; none are without; it is the will and pleasure of God that so it should be; and many are their afflictions, inward and outward: the word of God is often their comfort under them, the written word, heard or read; and especially a word of promise, powerfully applied: this is putting underneath everlasting arms, and making their bed in sickness. This either respects what goes before, concerning the word of promise hoped in, or what follows: for thy word hath quickened me; no”