The Providence of God in Trials and Suffering

The providence of God refers to His ongoing activity in preserving and governing all things, often through secondary causes ^[2]. This divine care extends to the natural world, animal creation, and the affairs of humanity, including the lives of individuals ^[2]. In the context of trials and suffering, God's providence is understood as His sovereign oversight and purpose, even in difficult circumstances.

Biblically, God's providence is seen in His preservation of creatures (Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 36:6; Matthew 10:29), provision for them (Psalm 104:27-28; Matthew 6:26), and special care for His people, including their preservation, prosperity, protection, deliverance, and guidance (Psalm 37:28; 91:11; Matthew 10:30; Psalm 91:4; Isaiah 31:5; Deuteronomy 8:2) ^[1]. God also orders the ways of men (Proverbs 16:9; 19:21; Daniel 2:21; 4:25) and brings His words to pass (Numbers 26:65; Joshua 21:45; Luke 21:32-33) ^{[1, 2]}.

Suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, and Christian theology addresses how God's providence relates to it. Christians are taught to expect hostility from a sinful world, especially when seeking to live godly lives ^[11]. This expectation aligns with Jesus's teachings (John 16:33) and the experiences of early Christians (Acts 14:22; Philippians 1:29) ^[11]. Persecution, for instance, is seen as something Christ Himself suffered and patiently endured (Psalm 69:26; Isaiah 50:6; 53:7; Matthew 27:14) ^{[7, 9]}. Saints are told to expect persecution for God's sake (Jeremiah 15:15; Mark 10:30; John 15:20) and that all who live godly in Christ will suffer it (2 Timothy 3:12) ^[7]. Such persecution is understood as originating from ignorance of God and Christ, hatred for God and the gospel, pride, and mistaken zeal ^[7].

Despite the presence of suffering, the concept of divine providence assures believers that God is still at work. One aspect of God's providence in suffering is His long-suffering, which is part of His character (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15) ^[6]. This long-suffering is intended to lead people to repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) and is exhibited in His forgiveness of sins (Romans 3:25) ^{[6, 8]}. God's patience is also a divine attribute (Romans 15:5) and is enjoined upon believers (Titus 2:2; 2 Peter 1:6) ^[9].

Trials and suffering are not outside of God's providential plan; rather, they are often presented as instruments through which God works. The trials of saints are said to lead to patience (Romans 5:3; James 1:3), which in turn produces experience and hope (Romans 5:4; 15:4) ^[9]. Enduring sorrows while suffering unjustly is considered to find favor with God, especially when done out of a consciousness of Him (1 Peter 2:19) ^[3]. The apostle Peter instructs Christians on how to face inevitable trials, advising them not to be surprised by the "fiery ordeal" that comes to test them (1 Peter 4:12) ^[11]. Patient endurance under undeserved suffering is acceptable to God, with Christ's example serving as a model (1 Peter 2:20-21) ^{[9, 16]}. Christ's suffering for humanity is presented as the ultimate example of "doing well" ^[16].

The suffering of Christ is central to understanding God's providence in trials. Because Jesus Himself suffered and was tried, He is able to help those who are tried (Hebrews 2:18) ^[5]. This maxim suggests that a state of suffering can dispose individuals to compassion, and those who endure much affliction often feel more for others ^[14]. Thus, it was necessary for Jesus to partake in human nature and be exposed to trials and sufferings so that He might better empathize with and succor the afflicted ^[14].

While suffering is a reality, the Bible also speaks to the ultimate justice of God. Evil people are said to suffer the consequences of their own actions, and God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment (Proverbs 1:31) ^[13]. This is not a spontaneous emotional outburst from God, but a necessary response of a holy God to sin ^[12]. The Old Testament frequently depicts God's anger and predicts a decisive outpouring of His wrath on human sin ^[12]. However, God's long-suffering also means that He delays this punishment, offering opportunity for repentance ^{[6, 10]}.

In the face of suffering, believers are called to "wait upon God" ^[4]. This involves waiting on Him as the God of providence, the God of salvation, and the giver of all temporal blessings ^[4]. It also entails waiting for His mercy, pardon, guidance, protection, and the fulfillment of His word and promises ^[4]. This waiting is characterized by hope through faith (Galatians 5:5) and anticipation of Christ's coming (1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:10) ^{[4, 9]}. John Gill, commenting on Lamentations 3:36, encourages believers to "search and try our ways" in times of affliction, looking into God's everlasting love, the covenant of grace, and the Scriptures for support and instruction ^[15]. This perspective suggests that even in suffering, there is an opportunity for spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's character and plan.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
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; ”
I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (LEB) — For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
Hebrews “Hebrews 2:18 (LITV) — For in what He has suffered, being tried, He is able to help those having been tried.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
Romans “Romans 3:26 (LEB) — in the forbearance of God, for the demonstration of his righteousness in the present time, so that he should be just and the one who justifies the person by faith in Jesus.”
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”
Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 21:7: The answer is Rom 2:4; Ti1 1:16; Psa 73:18; Ecc 8:11-13; Luk 2:35-end; Pro 16:4; Rom 9:22. old--in opposition to the friends who asserted that sinners are "cut off" early (Job 8:12, Job 8:14).”
1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 1:31: 1:31 Evil people suffer the consequences of their own actions (see 1:15-19); God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment (see Matt 25:44-46; Heb 10:29; 2 Pet 2:9).”
Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 2:18: For in that he himself hath suffered - The maxim on which this verse is founded is the following: A state of suffering disposes persons to be compassionate, and those who endure most afflictions are they who feel most for others. The apostle argues that, among other causes, it was necessary that Jesus Christ should partake of human nature, exposed to trials, persecutions, and various sufferings, that he might the better feel for and be led to succor those who are afflicted and sorely tried. This sentiment is well expressed by a Roman poet: - Me quoque per multas s”
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”
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”

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