Experiencing Providence in Times of Crisis and Suffering
Experiencing Providence in Times of Crisis and Suffering
The concept of experiencing providence in times of crisis and suffering is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize God's sovereignty and care for believers amidst adversity. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:6, "But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer" [1]. This passage highlights the idea that suffering is not without purpose, but rather it serves to comfort and strengthen both the sufferer and others.
The biblical narrative is replete with examples of believers facing crises and suffering, yet finding comfort and hope in God's providence. The book of Job, for instance, explores the theme of suffering and the struggle to understand God's ways. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, the answer to the question of why the wicked prosper lies in God's patience and long-suffering nature, as seen in Romans 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 [4].
In the New Testament, the apostle Peter exhorts believers not to be surprised by trials and sufferings, but rather to rejoice and trust in God's sovereignty (1 Peter 4:12-13) [5]. The Tyndale House commentary notes that Peter's instruction is rooted in the understanding that Christians can expect to face hostility from a sinful world, citing John 16:33 and Acts 14:22 [5].
The concept of providence is closely tied to the idea of God's sovereignty and control over all events. The writer of Hebrews encourages believers to "come near, then, with freedom, to the throne of the grace, that we may receive kindness, and find grace--for seasonable help" (Hebrews 4:16) [2]. This passage emphasizes the accessibility of God's grace and mercy in times of need.
Different Christian traditions have understood and articulated the concept of providence in various ways. John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox father, emphasizes the role of faith and trust in God's providence, citing James 1:6 and 2:13 [6]. In contrast, John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed theologian, highlights the importance of patience and experience in understanding God's providence, noting that tribulations exercise and increase patience, leading to hope (Romans 5:4) [8].
The biblical teaching on providence is not limited to the New Testament. The book of Proverbs, for example, emphasizes the consequences of sin and the importance of living wisely. The Tyndale House commentary on Proverbs 1:31 notes that evil people suffer the consequences of their own actions, and that God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment [7].
In times of crisis and suffering, believers are encouraged to trust in God's providence and care. The apostle Paul's own experiences of persecution and suffering serve as a model for believers, as he notes in 2 Timothy 3:11, "persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all" [3]. This passage highlights the importance of perseverance and trust in God's deliverance.
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, emphasizes the compassionate nature of Christ, who suffered and was tempted, and is therefore able to succor those who are afflicted (Hebrews 2:18) [9]. This understanding of Christ's compassion serves as a source of comfort and hope for believers in times of crisis and suffering.
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. -- 2 Corinthians 1:6”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 4:16 (YLT) — we may come near, then, with freedom, to the throne of the grace, that we may receive kindness, and find grace--for seasonable help.”
- 2 Timothy “persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all. -- 2 Timothy 3:11”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 21:7: The answer is Rom 2:4; Ti1 1:16; Psa 73:18; Ecc 8:11-13; Luk 2:35-end; Pro 16:4; Rom 9:22. old--in opposition to the friends who asserted that sinners are "cut off" early (Job 8:12, Job 8:14).”
- 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).”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: 13:17 13:23 James 1:6 2:13 2:19 2:26 3:11 4:3 1 Peter 1:3 1:12 2:13 2:21 2:21 2:22 2:22 2:22 5:5 5:8 5:8 5:8 2 Peter 2:4 3:13 1 John 2:9 3:2 3:8 4:8 Revelation 1 1:4 1:9 1:11 1:16 1:20 2 3 3:12 14:1 14:4 14:13 15:6 20:9 22:16 Tobit 12:9 Wisdom of Solomon 1:4 1:14 11:23 11:24 14:16 Sirach 2:2 2:2 2:4 2:10 2:11 2:27 3:10-12 3:11 5:6 6:14 6:16 6:34 7:6 7:31 9:13 9:15 10:9 10:12-13 11:1 11:2 11:3 11:3 11:4 11:15 11:28 12:13 13:15 14:9 15:9 16:3 18:13 18:13 19:14-15 20:20 21:2 22:21-22 23:17 23:17 25:1 25:1 25:11 26:27 28:6 31:1 32:10”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 1:31: 1:31 Evil people suffer the consequences of their own actions (see 1:15-19); God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment (see Matt 25:44-46; Heb 10:29; 2 Pet 2:9).”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 5:4: And patience experience,.... As tribulations tend to exercise and increase patience, so patience being exercised and increased, enlarges the saints' stock and fund of experience; of the love and grace of God communicated to them at such seasons; of his faithfulness in fulfilling his promises; of his power in supporting them; and of their own frailty and weakness; and so are taught humility, thankfulness, and resignation to the will of God: and experience, hope; hope is a gift of God's grace, and is implanted in regeneration, but abounds, increases, and becomes more s”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 2:18: For in that he himself hath suffered - The maxim on which this verse is founded is the following: A state of suffering disposes persons to be compassionate, and those who endure most afflictions are they who feel most for others. The apostle argues that, among other causes, it was necessary that Jesus Christ should partake of human nature, exposed to trials, persecutions, and various sufferings, that he might the better feel for and be led to succor those who are afflicted and sorely tried. This sentiment is well expressed by a Roman poet: - Me quoque per multas s”