Trusting God's Goodness in Times of Adversity

Trusting God's goodness in times of adversity is a recurring theme throughout biblical literature, offering comfort and guidance to believers facing distress. The prophet Nahum declares, "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him" ^[1]. This sentiment is echoed in the Psalms, where God is described as the "stronghold in the time of trouble" for the righteous ^[2]. This trust is not merely a passive hope but an active reliance on God's character and promises ^[5].

The concept of trusting God's goodness is deeply rooted in His steadfastness and unwavering nature. God exhibits steadfastness in all His purposes and ways ^[7]. This divine attribute provides a secure foundation for believers, assuring them that God's care is constant even when circumstances are turbulent ^[7]. The psalmist expresses this by stating, "But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation" ^[3]. This trust is an act of faith, offering "sacrifices of righteousness" and placing confidence in the Lord ^[4].

Adversity often tests this trust, but biblical texts encourage believers to maintain their hope. The psalmist, even when wounded and suffering, confesses faith in God's ability to transform misery into abundant life, finding encouragement and strength in God's righteous character ^[9]. This steadfastness is commanded in scripture, with exhortations to remain firm in faith and in the work of the Lord ^[7]. The power and presence of God, along with the intercession of Christ, are presented as means by which believers can maintain their steadfastness ^[7].

The New Testament further develops this theme, emphasizing that faith in Christ Jesus grants access to God's favor and grace, which is expressed through love for others ^[11]. The book of Hebrews speaks of a "better hope brought in by Christ" ^[5], which is described as "sure and steadfast" ^[5]. This hope is not a wish but a confident expectation, enabling believers to resist the devil's attacks during "the time of evil" and to stand firm ^[10]. Even when facing persecution or imprisonment, believers are called to remember those in bonds, sympathizing with them as if in the same condition ^[12].

The practice of "waiting upon God" is also integral to trusting His goodness in adversity ^[6]. This involves waiting on God as the God of providence and salvation, as the giver of blessings, and for His mercy, pardon, guidance, protection, and the fulfillment of His word and promises ^[6]. This waiting is described as "good" and is something God calls His people to do ^[6]. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in cultivating hope, and this hope is obtained through grace, the Word, patience, comfort from the Scriptures, and faith ^[5].

In times of trouble, believers are encouraged to exhibit holy boldness, which is produced by trust in God and the fear of God ^[8]. This boldness allows them to express their trust in God and to pray with confidence ^[8]. The presence of God, particularly Christ "in the midst of" His people, is a source of great encouragement, providing support, supply, assistance, strength, protection, and defense against fears and faintings ^[13]. This continuous hope, even in affliction, acts as an anchor for the soul, keeping it firm and steadfast ^[14].

Sources

Nahum “Nahum 1:7 (BSB) — The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.”
Psalms “But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. -- Psalms 37:39”
Psalms “But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation. -- Psalms 13:5”
Psalms “Psalms 4:5 (Geneva1599) — Offer the sacrifices of righteousnes, and trust in the Lord.”
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 ”
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”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Steadfastness — Exhibited by God in all his purposes and ways -- Nu 23:19; Da 6:26; Jas 1:17. Commanded -- Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15; Jas 1:6-8. Godliness necessary to -- Job 11:13-15. Secured by The power of God. -- Ps 55:22; 62:2; 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. The presence of God. -- Ps 16:8. Trust in God. -- Ps 26:1. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32. A characteristic of saints -- Job 17:9; Joh 8:31. Should be manifested In cleaving to God. -- De 10:20; Ac 11:23. In the work of the Lord. -- 1Co 15:58. In continuing in the Apostles' doctrine. -- Ac 2:42. In holding fast our”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
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.”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:13: 6:13 God’s armor gives believers the ability to resist the attacks of the devil in the time of evil—when evil seems to prevail—and to keep standing firm.”
Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:6: 5:6 Faith in Christ Jesus provides access to all of God’s favor and grace, so no further benefit is available through human effort. Faith is expressed by exercising love toward others (cp. Rom 13:10; 14:17-19; 2 Cor 8:8-13).”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:3: Remember them that are in bonds,.... Not for criminal actions, or for debt, though such should be remembered, and pity showed them, especially the latter; but such as are in bonds for the sake of Christ, and the Gospel. This has been often the lot of God's people, who should be remembered, by praying for them, sending comfortable letters to them, personally visiting them, and relieving them under their distresses: as bound with them; as if it were so, as if in the same condition, and circumstances; by sympathizing with them; by considering themselves liable to the ”
Zephaniah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty Every word carries in it something very encouraging to the church and people of God; and is an antidote against those fears and faintings they are subject to; Christ "is in the midst of" them; near at hand to support and supply them, to assist and strengthen them, to protect and defend them; he is not only near by his essential presence, which is everywhere; and by his providential presence, which is concerned with all his creatures; but by his gracious presence, peculiar to his church and people; and which gives th”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 71:14: But I will hope continually,.... For deliverance and salvation from present outward troubles, for; more grace here and glory hereafter: it is the excellency of the grace of hope to be exercised in times of affliction and distress, and with Abraham to believe in hope against hope; and then it is that this grace is eminently and remarkably useful: it is an anchor to the soul when in distress, which keeps it firm and steadfast; and an helmet, which covers the head in the day of battle; in the exercise of which the believer glories in tribulation: it is an abiding grace,”

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