Heartache and the Providence of God in Christian Life
Heartache and the Providence of God
The psalmist's lament, "My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief" (Psalms 31:9 [1]), echoes the anguish many believers experience in times of heartache. Yet, Christian tradition affirms that even in sorrow, God's providence is at work.
The concept of providence refers to God's preserving and governing all things through secondary causes (Easton's Bible Dictionary [6]). This doctrine extends to the natural world, the brute creation, and human affairs, including individual lives (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17; 1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53 [6]). In the midst of heartache, believers can find comfort in God's providential care.
The Bible distinguishes between two types of sorrow: "the sorrow of the world" that leads to death, and "the sorrow which God gives" that results in salvation and repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10 [2]). According to John Gill, the sufferings experienced by Christians are not just any sufferings but are specifically "the sufferings of Christ" that abound in them, implying a participation in Christ's sufferings for the sake of the gospel (2 Corinthians 1:5 [9]).
In times of heartache, Christians are encouraged to endure sorrows unjustly suffered with a consciousness of God's presence (1 Peter 2:19 [3]). The comfort of God is abundant through Christ, just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant (2 Corinthians 1:5 [4]). This comfort is rooted in the love of God, which is shed abroad in the heart through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), and it enables believers to hope in God even in the midst of affliction (Psalms 39:7; 1 Peter 1:21 [5]).
The Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the importance of seeking God's merciful kindness in times of affliction, claiming His tender mercies as a source of comfort and strength (Psalms 119:76 [7]). Similarly, the Protestant academic tradition, as seen in Tyndale House's commentary, highlights God's righteous character as a source of encouragement and strength in suffering (Psalms 71:19-21 [8]).
Sources
- Psalms “Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief. -- Psalms 31:9”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 7:10 (BBE) — For the sorrow which God gives is the cause of salvation through a change of heart, in which there is no reason for grief: but the sorrow of the world is a cause of death.”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (LEB) — For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
- 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 1:5 (NASB) — For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”
- 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 ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:76: Here is, 1. An earnest petition to God for his favour. Those that own the justice of God in their afflictions (as David had done, Psa 119:75) may, in faith, and with humble boldness, be earnest for the mercy of God, and the tokens and fruits of that mercy, in their affliction. He prays for God's merciful kindness (Psa 119:76), his tender mercies, Psa 119:77. He can claim nothing as his due, but all his supports under his affliction must come from mere mercy and compassion to one in misery, one in want. "Let these come to me," that is, "the evidence of them (clea”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 71:19: 71:19-21 God’s righteous character provides encouragement and strength in the midst of suffering. The wounded psalmist confesses faith in God’s ability to transform his misery and weakness into abundant life.”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 1:5: For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,.... By "the sufferings of Christ" are not meant those which he suffered in his own person for the sake, and in the room and stead of his people, the fruits and effects of which abound to them, and in them; but those which he suffers in his members, or which they suffer for his sake; and which are said to "abound in" them, because of the variety and greatness of them; though not as if they were more or greater than what Christ suffered in his soul and body, when he was made sin and a curse for his people: yet notwiths”