God's Good Purposes in Adversity and Affliction
God's good purposes in adversity and affliction are a recurring theme in biblical theology, emphasizing that suffering, though difficult, can serve divine objectives for both individuals and the glory of God [1, 2]. Afflictions are understood to be common to all humanity, as Job 5:7 and 14:1 indicate, and even the righteous experience many troubles [1, 9]. However, these trials are not random; they are directed by God and intended for the ultimate good of his people [1].
One primary purpose of adversity is to promote the glory of God [1, 2]. This is seen in passages like John 9:1-3, where Jesus explains that a man's blindness was not due to sin but "that the works of God might be displayed in him." Similarly, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 illustrates how Paul's "thorn in the flesh" led to God's power being made perfect in weakness [1]. Afflictions can also exhibit God's power and faithfulness, as demonstrated in Psalm 34:19-20 and 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 [2].
Adversity also serves to teach individuals and draw them closer to God [2]. Psalm 119:71 states, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Isaiah 26:9 and Micah 6:9 further support this idea, showing that affliction can teach God's will [2]. Suffering can turn people to God, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:30-31 and Hosea 2:6-7, and can prevent them from departing from Him again [2]. It can also lead individuals to seek God in prayer, as exemplified by Judges 4:3 and Jonah 2:1 [2, 5]. Matthew Henry notes that even in affliction, David acknowledged God's judgments as right, recognizing that God does no wrong and that suffering is often less than what is deserved [8].
Furthermore, afflictions can convince individuals of their sinfulness. Job 36:8-9 suggests that God uses suffering to show people their transgressions [2]. Psalm 119:67 also indicates that before affliction, one might go astray, but afterward, they keep God's word [2]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note that while Job acknowledged sin in general, he often resisted specific charges, and affliction was necessary to help him feel that his sin deserved even worse consequences [7].
The Bible teaches that God appoints and dispenses afflictions according to His will, regulating their measure and determining their continuance [3]. However, Lamentations 3:33 clarifies that God does not willingly send affliction [3]. The goodness of God, a perfection of His character, is exercised towards His creatures, and this includes mercy, pity, compassion, and long-suffering patience [4]. Romans 11:22 speaks of "the goodness and severity of God," indicating that both aspects are part of His character [6].
For those who endure temptation or affliction, there is a blessing [10]. James 1:2-3 encourages believers to count it all joy when they meet trials, knowing that the testing of their faith produces steadfastness [1]. This steadfastness leads to maturity and completeness [1]. John Gill, commenting on James 1:12, explains that enduring temptation (affliction) means bearing up under it without being offended or falling away, but rather standing firm and not murmuring [10]. The ultimate outcome for God's people is everlasting good in Christ Jesus, as Romans 8:35-39 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 affirm [1].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Afflictions — Common to all (Job 5:7; 14:1; Ps. 34:19); are for the good of men (James 1:2, 3, 12; 2 Cor. 12:7) and the glory of God (2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Pet. 4:14), and are to be borne with patience by the Lord's people (Ps. 94:12; Prov. 3:12). They are all directed by God (Lam. 3:33), and will result in the everlasting good of his people (2 Cor. 4:16-18) in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:35-39).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions — God appoints -- 2Ki 6:33; Job 5:6,17; Ps 66:11; Am 3:6; Mic 6:9. God dispenses, as He will -- Job 11:10; Isa 10:15; 45:7. God regulates the measure of -- Ps 80:5; Isa 9:1; Jer 46:28. God determines the continuance of -- Ge 15:13,14; Nu 14:33; Isa 10:25; Jer 29:10. God does not willingly send -- La 3:33. Man is born to -- Job 5:6,7; 14:1. Saints appointed to -- 1Th 3:3. Consequent upon the fall -- Ge 3:16-19. Sin produces -- Job 4:8; 20:11; Pr 1:31. Sin visited with -- 2Sa 12:14; Ps 89:30-32; Isa 57:17; Ac 13:10,11. Often severe -- Job 16:7-16; Ps 42:7; ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
- 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”
- Romans “See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off. -- Romans 11:22”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 33:8: thy words-- (Job 10:7; Job 16:17; Job 23:11-12; Job 27:5-6; Job 29:14). In Job 9:30; Job 13:23, Job had acknowledged sin; but the general spirit of his words was to maintain himself to be "clean," and to charge God with injustice. He went too far on the opposite side in opposing the friends' false charge of hypocrisy. Even the godly, though willing to confess themselves sinners in general, often dislike sin in particular to be brought as a charge against them. Affliction is therefore needed to bring them to feel that sin in them deserves even worse than t”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:75: Still David is in affliction, and being so he owns, 1. That his sin was justly corrected: I know, O Lord! that thy judgments are right, are righteousness itself. However God is pleased to afflict us, he does us no wrong, nor can we charge him with any iniquity, but most acknowledge that it is less than we have deserved. We know that God is holy in his nature and wise and just in all the acts of his government, and therefore we cannot but know, in the general, that his judgments are right, though, in some particular instances, there may be difficulties which we c”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 34:19: Many are the afflictions of the righteous,.... This may be understood of some one particular righteous person, since the singular number is here made use of; whereas the plural is always used before, when the righteous are made mention of; and the Lord Jesus Christ may be designed, who is eminently and emphatically "the righteous"; he is righteous both as God and man, and as Mediator, in the discharge of every branch of his office; and his afflictions were many, which he endured from men, from devils, and from God himself: many were the afflictions of his body, which”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 1:12: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation,.... Or affliction, which is designed by temptation, as in Jam 1:2 and the man that endures it is he that so bears it, and bears up under it, as not to be offended at it, and stumble in the ways of Christ, and fall away from the truth, and a profession of it, as temporary believers in a time of temptation do; but manfully and bravely stands up under it, and does not sink under the weight of it, or faint on account of it; and endures afflictions in such manner as not to murmur and repine at them, but is quiet and still, and be”