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God's Sovereign Grace in Difficult Circumstances

God's Sovereign Grace in Difficult Circumstances

The concept of God's sovereign grace in difficult circumstances is rooted in biblical teachings that portray God as a refuge and strength to the afflicted [9]. According to Psalms, God is the savior of the upright and their strength in times of trouble [3]. This understanding is reinforced by the description of God's character as merciful, gracious, and abundant in loving-kindness [8].

The Psalms frequently express the idea that God's mercy and loving-kindness are available to those who fear Him, and that His goodness is exercised towards His creatures according to their various circumstances and relations [6]. For instance, Psalm 103:6 states that "The Lord gives decisions in righteousness for all who are in trouble" [1]. Similarly, Psalm 57:10 affirms that "For thy mercie is great vnto the heauens, and thy trueth vnto the cloudes" [2].

The biblical concept of God's sovereignty is closely tied to His providence, which extends to the natural world, the brute creation, and the affairs of men and individuals [10]. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's providence denotes His preserving and governing all things by means of second causes. This understanding is reflected in various Psalms, such as Psalm 18:32, which says, "God girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way vpright" [4].

The Reformed tradition interprets God's sovereignty in the context of His grace, emphasizing that God's throne is the throne of grace [7]. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's grace is described as great, sovereign, and rich in kindness through Christ [7]. This understanding is supported by biblical passages such as Ephesians 2:7, which highlights the riches of God's grace.

In times of affliction, believers can find comfort in the knowledge that God is with them, comforts them, preserves them, and delivers them [9]. As John Gill notes on Psalm 112:4, "Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness," suggesting that even in difficult circumstances, God's people can experience deliverance and comfort [15].

The sovereignty of God is not limited to acts of salvation but also extends to His governance of the world, where He does as He pleases [16]. As Psalm 135:6 states, "Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he." This sovereignty is a source of comfort for believers, as it assures them that God is in control, even in the midst of challenging circumstances.

The interplay between God's sovereignty and human suffering is complex. While God's sovereignty is not the cause of suffering, it is often in the context of suffering that His sovereignty is most profoundly experienced. According to Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 2:11, God sometimes hands people over to the power of the sin or deception they have desired [13]. This nuanced understanding highlights the multifaceted nature of God's sovereignty.

Ultimately, the biblical portrayal of God's sovereign grace in difficult circumstances presents a God who is both transcendent and intimately involved in the lives of His people. As Psalm 31:21 puts it, "Blessed be the Lord: for hee hath shewed his marueilous kindenesse toward me in a strong citie" [5]. This understanding of God's character provides a foundation for trust and hope in the face of adversity.

The affirmation of God's sovereignty in the midst of suffering is a recurring theme across various Christian traditions, including Presbyterian, Protestant academic, and Baptist/Reformed perspectives [11, 12, 14]. While the nuances of this doctrine may be subject to interpretation, the core conviction remains that God's sovereignty is a source of comfort and strength for believers navigating difficult circumstances.

Sources

  1. Psalms “Psalms 103:6 (BBE) — The Lord gives decisions in righteousness for all who are in trouble.”
  2. Psalms “Psalms 57:10 (Geneva1599) — For thy mercie is great vnto the heauens, and thy trueth vnto the cloudes.”
  3. Psalms “Psalms 37:39 (BBE) — But the Lord is the saviour of the upright: he is their strength in the time of trouble.”
  4. Psalms “Psalms 18:32 (Geneva1599) — God girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way vpright.”
  5. Psalms “Psalms 31:21 (Geneva1599) — Blessed be the Lord: for hee hath shewed his marueilous kindenesse toward me in a strong citie.”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Grace — God is the God of all -- 1Pe 5:10. God is the Giver of -- Ps 84:11; Jas 1:17. God's throne, the throne of -- Heb 4:16. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of -- Zec 12:10; Heb 10:29. Was upon Christ -- Lu 2:40; Joh 3:24. Christ spoke with -- Ps 45:2; Lu 4:22. Christ was full of -- Joh 1:14. Came by Christ -- Joh 1:17; Ro 5:15. Given by Christ -- 1Co 1:4. Foretold by the prophets -- 1Pe 1:10. Riches of, exhibited in God's kindness through Christ -- Eph 2:7. Glory of, exhibited in our acceptance in Christ -- Eph 1:6. Is described as Great. -- Ac 4:33. Sovereign. -- R”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Mercy of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6,7; Ps 62:12; Ne 9:17; Jon 4:2,10,11; 2Co 1:3. Described as Great. -- Nu 14:18; Isa 54:7. Rich. -- Eph 2:4. Manifold. -- Ne 9:27; La 3:32. Plenteous. -- Ps 86:5,15; 103:8. Abundant. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure. -- Isa 55:3; Mic 7:20. Everlasting. -- 1Ch 16:34; Ps 89:28; 106:1; 107:1; 136:1-26. Tender. -- Ps 25:6; 103:4; Lu 1:78. New every morning. -- La 3:23. High as heaven. -- Ps 36:5; 103:11. Filling the earth. -- Ps 119:64. Over all his works. -- Ps 145:9. Is his delight -- Mic 7:18. Manifested In the sending of Christ. ”
  9. 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”
  10. 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; ”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:32: chastened-- (Rev 3:19). with the world--who, being bastards, are without chastening (Heb 12:8).”
  12. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 12:13: wherein you were inferior--that is, were treated with less consideration by me than were other churches. I myself--I made a gain of you neither myself, nor by those others whom I sent, Titus and others (Co2 12:17-18). wrong--His declining support from the Corinthians might be regarded as the denial to them of a privilege, and a mark of their spiritual inferiority, and of his looking on them with less confidence and love (compare Co2 11:9, Co2 11:11).”
  13. 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 2:11: 2:11 As seen elsewhere in Scripture (Exod 9:12; 2 Chr 18:22), God sometimes hands people over to the power of the sin or deception they have desired in place of the truth (Rom 1:24, 26, 28; 11:8).”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:18: 11:18 The divisions may be those spoken of in 1:10-12 (cp. Titus 3:10), or (more likely) the result of social discrimination when they shared meals (see 1 Cor 11:21-22, 33; Acts 6:1).”
  15. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 112:4: Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness,.... Upright ones are sometimes in the darkness of affliction, under divine desertions, without spiritual joy, and in an uncomfortable condition; when on a sudden light arises to them, like break of day, or the morning light: they have deliverance from affliction, and enjoy prosperity; the light of God's countenance is lifted up on them; the sun of righteousness arises upon them with healing in his wings; and spiritual joy and comfort are communicated unto them. It may denote the comforts the people of God have ami”
  16. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 135:6: Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he,.... In creation, producing into being what creatures he thought fit; in providence, doing according to his will in heaven and in earth; in grace, predestinating men to grace and glory, according to the good pleasure of his will, and calling by his grace whom he pleased: so Christ quickens whom he will; and the Spirit dispenses his gifts and grace severally to men as he pleases. Sovereignty, or acting according to will and pleasure, is peculiar to the Lord; the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars, are at his direction, and act b”
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