Finding Goodness in Dark Circumstances and Trials
The Bible frequently addresses the experience of trials and dark circumstances, often presenting them not merely as obstacles but as opportunities for divine revelation or spiritual growth. The book of Job, for instance, speaks of humanity's ability to "search out, to the furthest bound, the stones of obscurity and of thick darkness," suggesting an inherent human drive to understand and penetrate difficult situations [1].
Scripture often uses the metaphor of light and darkness to represent good and evil, or spiritual understanding versus ignorance [12]. For those who are "upright," light is promised to arise even in darkness [3]. This concept is echoed in the prophetic writings, where even in times of "trouble, and darkness, and dimness," there is an assurance that "to the upright there shall arise light in the darkness" [9]. John Gill, commenting on Psalms 112:4, explains that this light can signify deliverance from affliction, the lifting of God's countenance, or the communication of spiritual joy and comfort [8]. Similarly, Gill notes that God's elect, even when in a state of spiritual darkness or under the "shadow of death," can receive light [7].
The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:10, articulates a profound perspective on suffering, stating, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" [2, 4]. This passage suggests that trials can be a means through which divine strength is made manifest. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, highlights Jesus' teaching that "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33), emphasizing that while trials are inevitable, God provides a way to bear them [10].
Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, observes that troubles and afflictions are often the lot of even the most devout Christians [11]. He also notes that prisoners, who "sit in darkness" and "in the shadow of death," are in a state of great distress and danger, yet the goodness of God is still evident towards them [6]. In the face of such adversity, believers are encouraged to "search and try our ways," not to murmur, but to seek support and comfort in God's love and the covenant of grace [5]. This perspective suggests that trials, while difficult, can lead to a deeper understanding of divine provision and faithfulness.
Sources
- Job “Man sets an end to darkness, and searches out, to the furthest bound, the stones of obscurity and of thick darkness. -- Job 28:3”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 12:10 (Webster) — Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
- Psalms “Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous. -- Psalms 112:4”
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 12:10 — Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
- Lamentations (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Lamentations 3:36: Let us search and try our ways,.... stead of murmuring and complaining, let us search for something that may support and comfort, teach and instruct, under afflictive providences; let us search into the love of God, which, though it cannot be fully searched out, it will be found to be from everlasting to everlasting; and that all afflictions spring from it; and that it continues notwithstanding them: let us search into the covenant of grace, in which provision is made for afflictions in case of disobedience, and for supports under them: let us search the Scriptu”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 107:10: We are to take notice of the goodness of God towards prisoners and captives. Observe, 1. A description of this affliction. Prisoners are said to sit in darkness (Psa 107:10), in dark dungeons, close prisons, which intimates that they are desolate and disconsolate; they sit in the shadow of death, which intimates not only great distress and trouble, but great danger. Prisoners are many times appointed to die; they sit despairing to get out, but resolving to make the best of it. They are bound in affliction, and many times in iron, as Joseph. Thus sore a calamity ”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 1:79: To give light to them that sit in darkness,.... God's elect among the Jews, who were not only in a state of unregeneracy, which is a state of darkness, ignorance, and unbelief; but in the darkness of the legal dispensation, and at this time under more than ordinary darkness and ignorance; having lost the knowledge of the righteousness of God, and of the spirituality of his law, the true sense of the Scriptures, and right notions of the Messiah; being led by blind guides, the Scribes and Pharisees, and, were as it were also, in the shadow of death; in a state seeming”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 112:4: Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness,.... Upright ones are sometimes in the darkness of affliction, under divine desertions, without spiritual joy, and in an uncomfortable condition; when on a sudden light arises to them, like break of day, or the morning light: they have deliverance from affliction, and enjoy prosperity; the light of God's countenance is lifted up on them; the sun of righteousness arises upon them with healing in his wings; and spiritual joy and comfort are communicated unto them. It may denote the comforts the people of God have ami”
- Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 9:1: The first words of this chapter plainly refer to the close of the foregoing chapter, where every thing looked black and melancholy: Behold, trouble, and darkness, and dimness - very bad, yet not so bad but that to the upright there shall arise light in the darkness (Psa 112:4) and at evening time it shall be light, Zac 14:7. Nevertheless it shall not be such dimness (either not such for kind or not such for degree) as sometimes there has been. Note, In the worst of times God's people have a nevertheless to comfort themselves with, something to allay and balance the”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: a good report, said to His disciples, “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ( John xvi. 33 .) What then, they will say, Have not many been turned to flight by these terrors? Yes, but that was not of the nature of temptation, but of their own remissness. But He that “with the temptation maketh also an escape, so that ye may be able to bear it” ( 1 Cor. x. 13 ), may He stand by all of us, and reach forth His hand, that being gloriously proclaimed victorious we may attain to the everlasting crowns, th”
- James (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on James 1:2: We now come to consider the matter of this epistle. In this paragraph we have the following things to be observed: - I. The suffering state of Christians in this world is represented, and that in a very instructive manner, if we attend to what is plainly and necessarily implied, together with what is fully expressed. 1. It is implied that troubles and afflictions may be the lot of the best Christians, even of those who have the most reason to think and hope well of themselves. Such as have a title to the greatest joy may yet endure very grievous afflictions. As goo”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 11:35: 11:35-36 Light and darkness are metaphors for good and evil (John 1:5; 3:19; 8:12; 12:35; Acts 26:18; Rom 13:12; 2 Cor 4:6; 6:14; Eph 5:8; 1 Thes 5:5; 1 Pet 2:9; 1 Jn 1:5; 2:8-9).”