The Providence of God in Difficult Circumstances
God's providence refers to His ongoing preservation and governance of all things through secondary causes [2]. This divine oversight extends to the natural world, animal creation, and the affairs of humanity, including the specific circumstances of individuals and their free actions [2]. Even in difficult circumstances, biblical texts and theological traditions affirm that God's providence is at work, offering comfort, support, and ultimate deliverance to those who trust in Him [4, 9].
The concept of providence encompasses God's care for His works, His preservation of creatures, and His provision for their needs [1]. This includes special preservation, protection, and deliverance for saints [1]. For instance, Psalm 36:6 states that God preserves both man and beast, and Matthew 10:29 notes that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father's will [1]. This broad scope of providence means that nothing occurs by chance; rather, everything is determined by God's will and counsel [8].
In times of affliction, the Bible consistently portrays God as intimately involved with His people. He is described as being with the afflicted (Psalm 46:5, 7; Isaiah 43:2) and serving as a refuge and strength (Psalm 27:5, 6; Isaiah 25:4) [4]. God comforts those in distress (Isaiah 49:13; Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 1:4, 5) and preserves them (Psalm 34:20) [4]. John Gill, commenting on 2 Corinthians 1:4, notes that even in great tribulation, ministers of the Gospel experienced divine help and support, receiving much consolation and refreshment through God's presence and the application of His promises [9].
Deliverance from affliction is also a key aspect of God's providence. Psalm 34:4, 19 and Jeremiah 39:17, 18 speak of God delivering His people [4]. Job 36:15 explicitly states that "God rescues the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ears in oppression" [5]. John Gill interprets this verse as God delivering the "godly poor" not necessarily out of affliction, but in it, by supporting them, supplying grace, granting His presence, and protecting them from enemies [6]. This suggests that God's providential care in difficult times is not always the removal of the difficulty, but His sustaining presence and work within it.
The New Testament further emphasizes this divine support. Christ is depicted as being with the afflicted (John 14:18), supporting them (2 Timothy 4:17; Hebrews 2:18), and comforting them (Isaiah 61:2; Matthew 11:28-30) [4]. Believers are encouraged to endure sorrows, even when suffering unjustly, because such endurance "finds favor" with God (1 Peter 2:19) [3]. This perspective suggests that difficult circumstances can be a means through which God works, leading to spiritual growth and a deeper reliance on Him.
The Puritan commentator Matthew Henry highlights that God uses various individuals and circumstances, even those seemingly contrary, to serve His providential designs [7]. He also notes that divine providence orders and directs events that appear casual or fortuitous to humans, emphasizing that nothing happens by chance [8]. This comprehensive view of providence means that even the "darkness" of affliction can give rise to "light" for the upright, bringing deliverance, prosperity, and the comfort of God's presence [10].
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: 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”
- Job “Job 36:15 (BSB) — God rescues the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ears in oppression.”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 36:15: He delivereth the poor in his affliction,.... The righteous or godly poor; who are not only poor in worldly things, but poor in spirit; who are humbled, brought low, and made contrite, through the afflicting hand of God: these, though the Lord does sooner or later deliver "out" of their afflictions, yet that is not intended here, but a deliverance "in" them; which is done by supporting them under them, by supplying them with his grace to bear them patiently, by granting them his gracious presence for their comfort in them, by stilling the enemy and the avenger, keeping ”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 29:13: This shows how wisely the great God serves the designs of his providence by persons of very different tempers, capacities, and conditions in the world, even, 1. By those that are contrary the one to the other. Some are poor and forced to borrow; others are rich, have a great deal of the mammon of unrighteousness (deceitful riches they are called), and they are creditors, or usurers, as it is in the margin. Some are poor, and honest, and laborious; others are rich, slothful, and deceitful. They meet together in the business of this world, and have dealings with ”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 16:33: Note, 1. The divine Providence orders and directs those things which to us are perfectly casual and fortuitous. Nothing comes to pass by chance, nor is an event determined by a blind fortune, but every thing by the will and counsel of God. What man has neither eye nor hand in God is intimately concerned in. 2. When solemn appeals are made to Providence by the casting of lots, for the deciding of that matter of moment which could not otherwise be at all, or not so well, decided, God must be eyed in it, by prayer, that it may be disposed aright (Give a perfect lo”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 1:4: Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,.... The apostle in this verse gives a reason of the former thanksgiving, and at the same time confirms the above character of God, as "the God of all comfort", by his own experience, and that of his fellow ministers; who, though they had been in great tribulation and affliction for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, yet were not left destitute of divine help and support under their trials; but had much consolation and sweet refreshment administered to them by the presence of God with them, the application of his promise”
- 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”