Opportunities for God's Glory in Times of Adversity
Opportunities for God's Glory in Times of Adversity
The biblical concept of God's glory is closely tied to the idea that He is worthy of praise and worship, particularly in times of adversity. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God is glorified by praise [2]. This theme is echoed in various biblical passages, where believers are encouraged to glorify God in the midst of trials and tribulations.
The book of Hebrews provides a foundation for understanding the relationship between adversity and God's glory. The author exhorts believers to "have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe" (Hebrews 12:28) [1]. This serving is not limited to times of ease but is particularly relevant during periods of hardship. In fact, the writer of Hebrews notes that believers can "glory in tribulations" (Romans 5:3, as interpreted by John Gill) [4]. This glorying is not in the suffering itself but in the knowledge that God is working through it to achieve His purposes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights several ways in which afflictions can promote God's glory. These include exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God (Psalm 34:19-20; 2 Corinthians 4:8-11), teaching believers the will of God (Psalm 119:71; Isaiah 26:9), and turning believers to God (Deuteronomy 4:30-31; Nehemiah 1:8-9) [3]. In this context, adversity is not seen as an obstacle to God's glory but rather as an opportunity for it to be revealed.
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary, emphasizes that God endures with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath, that He might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy (Romans 9:23) [7]. This perspective underscores the idea that God's glory is not diminished by adversity but is instead revealed through it. Similarly, in times of darkness and suffering, God will rise to get Himself honor and glory, as noted in John Gill's commentary on Isaiah 33:10 [5].
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke's commentary, views the flourishing condition of the Church as a time when both Jews and Gentiles shall become one fold under one Shepherd, with the imagery employed being of the most consolatory and magnificent description (Isaiah 60) [6]. This eschatological vision suggests that even in the midst of adversity, there is a future glory awaiting believers.
The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry's commentary on James 1:2, notes that troubles and afflictions may be the lot of the best Christians, and that such experiences can be instructive [8]. This perspective encourages believers to view adversity as a means of refining their faith and promoting God's glory.
Sources
- Hebrews “Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, -- Hebrews 12:28”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
- 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”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 5:3: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also,.... The tribulations of the saints are many and various, through the hatred of the world, the temptations of Satan, their own corruptions; and are the will of their heavenly Father; what Christ has foretold, and they expect; and here particularly design such as are for Christ's sake, which being supported under, and carried through, they glory in: not that these are desirable in themselves, and to the flesh; but they glory in them as they are for Christ's sake, and in a good cause; as they are trials of grace, and of ”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 33:10: Now will I rise, saith the Lord,.... At the last extremity, when things are come to a crisis; his interest at the lowest, and the kingdom of antichrist at its highest pitch; the whore of Rome triumphing over the slain witnesses, and boasting she was a queen, and knew no sorrow: this will be God's fit time to exert himself, and get him honour and glory: he before was as one lain down and asleep, as if quite negligent and careless about his honour and interest; but now he determines to arise, and show himself strong on the behalf of it; see Psa 12:5, now will I be ex”
- Isaiah (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Isaiah 60 (introduction): The glorious prospect displayed in this chapter seems to have elevated the prophet even above his usual majesty. The subject is the very flourishing condition of the Church of Jesus Christ at that period of the Gospel dispensation when both Jews and Gentiles shall become one fold under one Shepherd. The imagery employed is of the most consolatory and magnificent description. This blessed state of the world shall follow a time of gross darkness, Isa 60:1, Isa 60:2. The universal diffusion of vital godliness beautifully set forth by a great variety of ima”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 9:23: And that he might make known - God endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath: 1. To show his wrath, and to make his power known. And also, 2. That he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy. Which he had afore prepared unto glory - The Jews were fitted for destruction long before; but the fittest time to destroy them was after he had prepared the believing Gentiles unto glory. For the rod of the Messiah's strength was to be sent out of Zion, Psa 110:2. The Jewish nation was to supply the first preachers of the Gospel, and from Je”
- 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”