Illustrating God's Goodness in Trials and Suffering
Illustrating God's Goodness in Trials and Suffering
The biblical concept of God's goodness is intricately linked with the idea of trials and suffering. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's loving-kindness is described as "great", "excellent", "good", and "everlasting" [1]. This goodness is not limited to times of prosperity but is also evident in times of trial and suffering.
In the New Testament, the apostle Peter writes that enduring pain and suffering unjustly is a sign of grace [2, 3]. This perspective is echoed in the book of James, which encourages believers to take the prophets as examples of "pain nobly undergone and of strength in trouble" [4]. The biblical narrative presents trials and suffering as opportunities for believers to demonstrate their faith and trust in God's goodness.
The biblical concept of patience is closely tied to the idea of trials and suffering. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that patience is a virtue that is developed through trials, leading to experience, hope, and ultimately, a deeper understanding of God's will [5]. The apostle Paul writes that believers are "destined to suffer" for Christ's sake, and that this suffering is a manifestation of God's righteousness [7].
The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of trials and suffering. Chrysostom notes that believers are called to imitate Christ's example of patient endurance under undeserved suffering [6].
The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, views trials and suffering as a means of testing and refining one's faith. Calvin writes that trials "seal the adoption" of believers, demonstrating their faith and patience [10].
The biblical Psalms also illustrate God's goodness in times of trial and suffering. Psalm 71:19-21 confesses faith in God's ability to transform misery and weakness into abundant life, highlighting God's righteous character as a source of encouragement and strength [8].
The biblical narrative presents a nuanced understanding of God's goodness in trials and suffering. While the exact nature of this relationship is complex and multifaceted, it is clear that God's goodness is not absent in times of trial, but is rather revealed in and through them.
The examples of Christ and the prophets demonstrate that patient endurance under undeserved suffering is acceptable to God [2, 9]. As believers face trials and suffering, they are called to trust in God's goodness, even when it is not immediately apparent.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Loving-Kindness of God, The — Is through Christ -- Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4-6. Described as Great. -- Ne 9:17. Excellent. -- Ps 36:7. Good. -- Ps 69:16. Marvellous. -- Ps 17:7; 31:21. Multitudinous. -- Isa 63:7. Everlasting. -- Isa 54:8. Merciful. -- Ps 117:2. Better than life. -- Ps 63:3. Consideration of the dealings of God gives a knowledge of -- Ps 107:43. Saints Betrothed in. -- Ho 2:19. Drawn by. -- Jer 31:3. Preserved by. -- Ps 40:11. Quickened after. -- Ps 119:88. Comforted by. -- Ps 119:76. Look for mercy through. -- Ps 51:1. Receive mercy through. -- Isa 54:8. Are ”
- 1 Peter “For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. -- 1 Peter 2:19”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (BBE) — For it is a sign of grace if a man, desiring to do right in the eyes of God, undergoes pain as punishment for something which he has not done.”
- James “James 5:10 (BBE) — Take as an example of pain nobly undergone and of strength in trouble, the prophets who gave to men the words of the Lord.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Patience — God, is the God of -- Ro 15:5. Christ, an example of -- Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32; Mt 27:14. Enjoined -- Tit 2:2; 2Pe 1:6. Should have its perfect work -- Jas 1:4. Trials of saints lead to -- Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3. Produces Experience. -- Ro 5:4. Hope. -- Ro 15:4. Suffering with, for well-doing, is acceptable with God -- 1Pe 2:20. To be exercised Running the race set before us. -- Heb 12:1. Bringing forth fruits. -- Lu 8:15. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; Ga 6:9. Waiting for God. -- Ps 37:7; 40:1. Waiting for Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 2Th 3:5. Waiting for the hope of the gospel. -- R”
- 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”
- 2 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Thessalonians 1:5: A manifest token of the righteousness judgement of God - The persecutions and tribulations which you endure, are a manifest proof that God has judged righteously in calling you Gentiles into his Church; and these sufferings are also a proof that ye are called in; for they who enter into the kingdom of God go through great tribulation; your going through that tribulation is a proof that ye are entering in, and God sees it right and just that ye should be permitted to suffer before ye enjoy that endless felicity. The words, however, may be understood in anothe”
- 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.”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 9.4: a manner seals of adoption to the children of God, if they endure them with fortitude and patience: the wicked give a token of their condemnation, because they stumble against a stone by which they shall be bruised to pieces. ( Matthew 21:44 .) And that from God . This is restricted to the last clause, that a taste of the grace of God may allay the bitterness of the cross. No one will naturally perceive the cross a token or evidence of salvation, for they are things that are contrary in appearance. Hence Paul calls ”