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Trusting God's Goodness in Times of Uncertainty and Suffering

Trusting God's Goodness in Times of Uncertainty and Suffering

The biblical concept of trusting God's goodness is deeply rooted in the scriptures, where numerous passages encourage believers to rely on God's character and promises during times of uncertainty and suffering. Nahum 1:7 declares, "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him" [1]. This verse encapsulates the essence of trusting God's goodness, highlighting His care for those who put their trust in Him.

The Psalms frequently express the idea that God is a refuge and strength in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 states, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" [3]. Similarly, Psalm 37:39 affirms that "the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble" [2]. These passages emphasize God's role as a protector and deliverer, encouraging believers to trust in His goodness.

The New Testament continues this theme, with 1 Timothy 4:10 asserting that believers "have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe" [4]. This trust is not limited to times of ease but is particularly relevant during periods of suffering and uncertainty. The exhortation in Mark 13:33 to "watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is" underscores the importance of maintaining a vigilant and prayerful attitude, trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty [5].

Torrey's Topical Textbook categorizes various aspects of trust and affliction, highlighting that God is a refuge and strength, comforts, preserves, and delivers those who trust in Him [6]. It also emphasizes the importance of hope in God, Christ, and God's promises as a work of the Holy Spirit, obtained through grace, and described as good, lively, sure, and steadfast [7]. These themes are echoed in the Psalms, where the psalmist expresses trust in God's character and actions, even in the face of adversity [12, 13].

Different Christian traditions interpret and articulate the concept of trusting God's goodness in various ways. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's providence [10]. Protestant academics, such as those represented in the Tyndale House commentaries, highlight the biblical basis for trusting God's goodness, particularly in the face of suffering and uncertainty [8, 9, 11]. Nonconformist/Puritan commentators like Matthew Henry exhort believers to trust in the Lord, emphasizing that He is a help and shield to those who do so [14].

The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as seen in Adam Clarke's commentary, underscores that a lack of faith in God's providence and goodness is the source of human fears and anxieties. Clarke notes that God's wisdom cannot be surprised, His power cannot be forced, and His love cannot forget itself, providing a strong foundation for trust [15].

Sources

  1. Nahum “Nahum 1:7 (BSB) — The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.”
  2. Psalms “But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. -- Psalms 37:39”
  3. Psalms “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. -- Psalms 46:1”
  4. 1 Timothy “For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. -- 1 Timothy 4:10”
  5. Mark “Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is. -- Mark 13:33”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
  7. 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 ”
  8. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 2:14: 2:14 to punish those who do wrong and honor those who do right: Cp. Rom 13:3-4.”
  9. 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).”
  10. 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”
  11. 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”
  12. 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.”
  13. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 77:3: 77:3 I think of God: God’s people inevitably face difficult times, but recalling his mighty acts at the beginning of their relationship assures them of God’s commitment. • Feeling overwhelmed, the psalmist is unable to deal with the crisis (142:3; 143:4).”
  14. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 115:9: In these verses, I. We are earnestly exhorted, all of us, to repose our confidence in God, and not suffer our confidence in him to be shaken by the heathens' insulting over us upon the account of our present distresses. It is folly to trust in dead images, but it is wisdom to trust in the living God, for he is a help and a shield to those that do trust in them, a help to furnish them with and forward them in that which is good, and a shield to fortify them against and protect them from every thing that is evil. Therefore, 1. Let Israel trust in the Lord; the body”
  15. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 12:7: Fear not therefore - Want of faith in the providence and goodness of God is the source of all human inquietudes and fears. He has undertaken to save and defend those to the uttermost who trust in him. His wisdom cannot be surprised, his power cannot be forced, his love cannot forget itself. Man distrusts God, and fears that he is forgotten by him, because he judges of God by himself; and he knows that he is apt to forget his Maker, and be unfaithful to him. See on Mat 10:29-31 (note).”
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