Dependence on God in Times of Need and Suffering
Dependence on God in times of need and suffering is a recurring theme throughout the biblical narrative, emphasizing God's role as a refuge, deliverer, and source of comfort. The Psalms, in particular, frequently express a profound reliance on God amidst distress. For instance, Psalm 40:17 declares, "But I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don’t delay, my God" [1]. Similarly, Psalm 63:1 articulates a deep spiritual longing: "God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water" [2]. This sentiment is echoed in Psalm 70:5, where the psalmist, "afflicted and needy," implores God to "Hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay" [3].
This dependence is not merely a passive waiting but an active "waiting upon God" [8]. This involves waiting for God as the God of providence, salvation, and the giver of all temporal blessings, including mercy, pardon, guidance, and protection [8]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Psalm 130:5, describes this as an engagement to trust in God, expecting relief and comfort, patiently enduring delays, and seeking help from no other source [10]. He further notes that "my soul doth wait" signifies sincerity in this dependence, quietly accepting God's actions while anticipating His will [10].
The Bible acknowledges that suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, especially for those who follow God. Christians are instructed to expect trials and hostility from a sinful world [9]. The apostle Paul, for example, recounts his own experiences of "labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness" [4]. Despite such hardships, the biblical witness consistently points to God's presence and support. God is depicted as being with the afflicted, a refuge and strength, and a source of comfort and preservation [5]. Christ, too, is presented as one who supports and comforts the afflicted, demonstrating compassion for the weary, the weak in faith, the tempted, and the diseased [5, 6]. His voluntary submission to persecution and patience under suffering serve as an example for believers [7].
Sources
- Psalms “But I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don’t delay, my God. -- Psalms 40:17”
- Psalms “God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water. -- Psalms 63:1”
- Psalms “Psalms 70:5 (NASB) — But I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.”
- 2 Corinthians “in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness. -- 2 Corinthians 11:27”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Compassion and Sympathy of Christ, The — Necessary to his priestly office -- Heb 5:2,7. Manifested for the Weary and heavy-laden. -- Mt 11:28-30. Weak in faith. -- Isa 40:11; 42:3; Mt 12:20. Tempted. -- Heb 2:18. Afflicted. -- Lu 7:13; Joh 11:33,35. Diseased. -- Mt 14:14; Mr 1:41. Poor. -- Mr 8:2. Perishing sinners. -- Mt 9:36; Lu 19:41; Joh 3:16. An encouragement to prayer -- Heb 4:15.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
- 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”
- 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 (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 130:5: Here, I. The psalmist engages himself to trust in God and to wait for him, Psa 130:5, Psa 130:6. Observe, 1. His dependence upon God, expressed in a climax, it being a a song of degrees, or ascents: "I wait for the Lord; from him I expect relief and comfort, believing it will come, longing till it does come, but patiently bearing the delay of it, and resolving to look for it from no other hand. My soul doth wait; I wait for him in sincerity, and not in profession only. I am an expectant, and it is for the Lord that my soul waits, for the gifts of his grace and th”