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Finding Comfort in God's Good Providence in Difficult Times

Comfort in God's good providence during difficult times is a recurring theme throughout Christian scripture and theological tradition, emphasizing God's active and benevolent involvement in the lives of believers, even amidst suffering. The Apostle Paul, for instance, highlights this divine comfort, stating that God "comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" [1, 2]. This passage not only speaks to the experience of receiving comfort but also to its purpose: to enable believers to extend that comfort to others [10].

The concept of God's providence refers to His continuous care and governance over all His creation [9]. This includes preserving His creatures, providing for their needs, and specifically protecting, prospering, and delivering His saints [9]. Even in times of distress, believers are encouraged to wait upon God as the "God of providence" and the "God of salvation" [6]. This waiting involves looking to Him for mercy, pardon, consolation, guidance, and protection, trusting in the fulfillment of His word and promises [6].

Biblical texts frequently portray God as a source of strength and refuge for the afflicted. The Psalms declare that "the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble" [3]. God is described as being with the afflicted, a refuge and strength, and one who comforts, preserves, and delivers them [4]. Jesus Christ is also presented as a source of comfort and support, promising His presence and offering rest to those who are weary [4]. The happiness of saints, even in this life, is found in God, derived from fearing Him, trusting Him, and obeying His word [7].

The experience of affliction is not seen as an absence of God's care, but often as a context in which His comfort is most profoundly felt. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, notes that God makes "very precious promises... to the church in her low condition," assuring restoration and even greater prosperity [11]. This perspective suggests that suffering can be a pathway to deeper reliance on God and a greater experience of His grace [11]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, emphasizes that while ordinances and ministers can be instruments of comfort, God Himself is the "sole efficient cause" [14]. He marvels at God's condescension to comfort, especially considering His infinite nature and humanity's sinfulness [14].

Prayer is a primary means through which believers seek and receive divine comfort during trials [8]. The Bible exhorts individuals to pray under affliction, asking God to consider their trouble, grant His presence and support, and provide divine comfort [8]. Such prayers often include petitions for mitigation of troubles, deliverance, pardon from sin, and divine teaching and direction [8]. John Gill observes that Christ Himself resorted to prayer in difficult circumstances, applying to His Father in an "acceptable time" [15].

The "word of God" is identified as a significant source of comfort in affliction [12]. Gill explains that the written word, whether heard or read, and especially a promise "powerfully applied," can provide comfort, likening it to "putting underneath everlasting arms" [12]. The hope that believers have in God, in Christ, and in God's promises is described as "good," "lively," "sure and steadfast," and "gladdening" [5]. This hope is obtained through grace, the word, the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, the Gospel, and faith [5].

The comfort received from God is not merely for personal solace but has a communal dimension. As Paul indicates, being comforted by God in tribulation enables believers to comfort others who are in trouble [1, 2]. This suggests a cycle of divine comfort flowing through individuals to the wider community of faith. The Holy Spirit is also central to this experience, as hope in God is described as "the work of the Holy Spirit" [5]. The Spirit's role includes applying and increasing comfort by shedding abroad the love of Christ and the Father, making discoveries of pardoning grace, and applying Gospel promises [13].

The concept of God's providence extends to His ordering of the ways of men, bringing His words to pass, and preserving His creatures [9]. This comprehensive view of providence assures believers that God is actively involved in every aspect of life, even when circumstances appear chaotic or distressing. Matthew Henry highlights God's favor towards His humble people, stating that "though the Lord be high... yet has he respect unto the lowly" [16]. This divine regard for the humble offers a profound source of comfort, knowing that the exalted God looks graciously upon those in low conditions [16].

Sources

  1. King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 1:4 — Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
  2. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 1:4 (KJV) — Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
  3. Psalms “But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. -- Psalms 37:39”
  4. 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”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
  6. 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”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Happiness of Saints In This Life — Is in God -- Ps 73:25,26. Only found in the ways of wisdom -- Pr 3:17,18. Described by Christ in the beatitudes -- Mt 5:3-12. Is derived from Fear of God. -- Ps 128:1,2; Pr 28:14. Trust in God. -- Pr 16:20; Php 4:6,7. The words of Christ. -- Joh 17:13. Obedience to God. -- Ps 40:8; Joh 13:17. Salvation. -- De 33:29; Isa 12:2,3. Hope in the Lord. -- Ps 146:5. Hope of glory. -- Ro 5:2. God being their Lord. -- Ps 144:15. God being their help. -- Ps 146:5. Praising God. -- Ps 135:3. Their mutual love. -- Ps 133:1. Divine chastening. --”
  8. 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”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
  10. 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 1:4: Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,.... The apostle in this verse gives a reason of the former thanksgiving, and at the same time confirms the above character of God, as "the God of all comfort", by his own experience, and that of his fellow ministers; who, though they had been in great tribulation and affliction for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, yet were not left destitute of divine help and support under their trials; but had much consolation and sweet refreshment administered to them by the presence of God with them, the application of his promise”
  11. Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 54:11: Very precious promises are here made to the church in her low condition, that God would not only continue his love to his people under their troubles as before, but that he would restore them to their former prosperity, nay, that he would raise them to greater prosperity than any they had yet enjoyed. In the foregoing chapter we had the humiliation and exaltation of Christ; here we have the humiliation and exaltation of the church; for, if we suffer with him, we shall reign with him. Observe, I. The distressed state the church is here reduced to by the providence”
  12. 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”
  13. 2 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Thessalonians 2:17: Comfort your hearts,.... That is, apply the comfort given, and cause it to be received, which unbelief is apt to refuse; and increase it, by shedding abroad the love of Christ, and of the Father; by the discoveries of pardoning grace; by the application of Gospel promises; by the word and ordinances, which are breasts of consolation; and by indulging with the gracious presence, and comfortable communion of Father, Son, and Spirit. The Arabic version reads, "comfort your hearts by his grace", joining the last clause of the preceding verse to this. This petitio”
  14. Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 66:13: As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you,.... Though ordinances are means, and ministers are instruments of comfort, God is the sole efficient cause of it; and very wonderful it is that he should condescend to administer it, since he is an immense and infinite Being, the high and lofty One, possessed of all perfections, and yet deigns to revive the spirit of the humble and contrite; since he is the Maker of heaven and earth, and all things, and those he comforts are dust and ashes; and especially since they have sinned against him, and rendered themse”
  15. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 69:13: But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord,.... Christ betook himself to prayer in these circumstances, and not to railing and reviling again: he applied to his divine Father, and committed himself to him that judgeth righteously, and prayed both for himself and for his enemies too: and this he did in an acceptable time; or "a time of good will" (c); which was the time of his sufferings and death; so called, because the good will and pleasure of God was seen therein; in not sparing his Son, his own and only begotten Son, his beloved Son, and delivering him up to”
  16. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 138:6: David here comforts himself with three things: - I. The favour God bears to his humble people (Psa 138:6): Though the Lord be high, and neither needs any of his creatures nor can be benefited by them, yet has he respect unto the lowly, smiles upon them as well pleased with them, overlooks heaven and earth to cast a gracious look upon them (Isa 57:15; Isa 66:1), and, sooner or later, he will put honour upon them, while he knows the proud afar off, knows them, but disowns them and rejects them, how proudly soever they pretend to his favour. Dr. Hammond makes this ”
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