Purpose of God's Sovereign Hand in Trials and Suffering
The Sovereign Hand of God in Trials and Suffering
The concept of God's sovereign hand is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing God's control and providence over all events, including trials and suffering. The Psalmist affirms that "the hand of the Lord is strong" [2], underscoring God's omnipotence and involvement in human affairs.
The biblical narrative portrays God's hand as instrumental in both creation and redemption. In Exodus, the "hand of God" is a recurring theme, signifying God's power and deliverance [3]. This motif continues in the New Testament, where the apostles invoke God's sovereign hand in their prayers and teachings, as seen in Acts 4:30, where they pray for God to "stretch out your hand to heal and to perform signs and wonders" [1].
The doctrine of God's sovereignty is closely tied to the concept of providence, which refers to God's preservation and governance of all things. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's providence extends to the natural world, the brute creation, and human affairs, including the free actions of men [4]. This understanding is echoed in the writings of John Chrysostom, who emphasizes God's providential care over believers [6].
In the context of trials and suffering, the purpose of God's sovereign hand is multifaceted. According to 1 Peter 2:14, believers are called to endure suffering unjustly, just as Christ suffered on their behalf. The Tyndale House commentary on 1 Peter 4:12 notes that Christians can expect to face hostility from a sinful world and should not be surprised when trials come [5]. This expectation is rooted in Jesus' own teachings, as recorded in John 16:33 and Acts 14:22.
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, represented by John Gill's commentary on Isaiah 40:10, interprets God's strong hand as a manifestation of His power and redemption. Gill sees this verse as referring to Christ's second coming, when He will come with a strong hand to judge the world and reward the righteous [8]. Similarly, in his commentary on Psalms 89:12, Gill notes that Christ is the arm of the Lord, emphasizing God's almighty power displayed in creation and providence [9].
The Protestant academic tradition, as represented by the Tyndale House commentary on Romans 1:18, understands God's wrath as a necessary response to sin. This wrath is not an emotional outburst but a holy judgment that will be fully revealed at the end of history [7]. In this context, trials and suffering can be seen as a refining process, testing the faith and character of believers.
The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as reflected in John Chrysostom's writings, emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of trials. Chrysostom encourages believers to endure suffering with patience and faith, trusting in God's providential care [6].
Sources
- Acts “Acts 4:30 (BBE) — While your hand is stretched out to do works of mercy; so that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
- Joshua “Joshua 4:24 (BBE) — So that all the peoples of the earth may see that the hand of the Lord is strong; and that they may go in fear of the Lord your God for ever.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- Ps 62:11. Expressed by the Voice of God. -- Ps 29:3,5; 68:33. Finger of God. -- Ex 8:19; Ps 8:3. Hand of God. -- Ex 9:3,15; Isa 48:13. Arm of God. -- Job 40:9; Isa 52:10. Thunder of his power. -- Job 26:14. Described as Great. -- Ps 79:11; Na 1:3. Strong. -- Ps 89:13; 136:12. Glorious. -- Ex 15:6; Isa 63:12. Mighty. -- Job 9:4; Ps 89:13. Everlasting. -- Isa 26:4; Ro 1:20. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:21. Effectual. -- Isa 43:13; Eph 3:7. Irresistible. -- De 32:39; Da 4:35. Incomparable. -- Ex 15:11,12; De 3:24; Job 40:9; Ps 89:8.”
- 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; ”
- 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).”
- 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”
- 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”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 40:10: Behold, the Lord God will come with a strong hand,.... Some understand this of the second coming of Christ, which coming is certain, such assurances being given of it by promise and prophecy; and will be attended with power, which will be requisite to raise the dead, summon all nations before him, and pass and execute the proper sentence on them; when his arm shall openly bear rule, he will take to himself his great power, and reign; when his reward will be with him, to give to every man according to their works; and his own work will be before him, to judge the worl”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 89:12: Thou hast a mighty arm,.... Christ is the arm of the Lord, and a mighty one he is, and so is the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation; here it seems to design the almighty power of God, displayed in the works of creation and providence; see Isa 51:9. strong is thy hand; thy "left hand", as some, it being distinguished from his right hand, mentioned in the next clause; the Targum adds, "to redeem thy people;'' the work of redemption was put into the hand of Christ, and it prospered in his hand, and his own arm brought salvation to him; and his hand i”