The Lord of Endurance and Encouragement: Suffering and the Sovereignty of God

by Joel R. Beeke, Paul Smalley (editor)

This book presents a God-centered perspective on suffering and prepares us to be good students in God’s school of suffering. By focusing our attention on Jesus Christ, it shows how knowing Him and His sufferings illuminates and sustains us in our own. It also draws lessons from biblical examples of suffering saints and mines the riches of the Reformed divines on the topic. It closes by showing how the God of patience and consolation strengthens weary pilgrims in hope and with a longing for heaven. In the darkest of times, believers are reminded that their hearts can be satisfied by nothing less than the infinite God.

Contents

Preface

Part 1: God and Suffering

1. Cultivating a God-Centered Theology of Suffering — Anthony Kidd
2. Learning in God’s School of Suffering — Anthony Kidd

Part 2: Christ and Suffering

3. Following the Lamb through the Fiery Trials of Life and Ministry — Paul Washer
4. Ending in Christ with All Our Sufferings — Joel R. Beeke
5. The Paradox of Suffering and Sovereignty in King Jesus — Jonathon Beeke

Part 3: Biblical Examples of Suffering

6. The Mystery of Sovereignty and Suffering in the Life of Joseph — Ian Hamilton
7. The Dark Night of the The Sovereignty of God in Job 3 — Maarten Kuivenhoven
8. Suffering’s The Lion’s Mouth and the Faithful Witness — Bruce P. Baugus

Part 4: Reformed and Puritan Divines on Suffering

9. Prison Guido de Brès on Suffering, Sovereignty, and Solace — David Kranendonk
10. John Flavel and the Puritans on Afflictive Providence — Brian Cosby

Part 5: Hope in the Midst of Suffering

11. Trusting God When All the Lights Go Out — Ian Hamilton
12. Suffering and Our Longing for Heaven — Paul Washer

Genres: Theology

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2024

About the author

Joel R. Beeke (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the chancellor and professor of homiletics and systematic theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has served as a pastor since 1978 and currently ministers at the Heritage Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the editor of the Puritan Reformed Journal and The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth magazine, the board chairman of Reformation Heritage Books, the president of Inheritance Publishers, and the vice president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society.

Beeke has written and coauthored 120 books, edited 120 books, and contributed 2,500 articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. He frequently lectures at seminaries and speaks at Reformed conferences around the world. The Lord has blessed him and his wife Mary with three children and eleven grandchildren.

Reviews

[Timothy Denning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with the sermons from the 2023 Puritan Conference. Commenting on the author that Brian Cosby found helpful. On John Flavel, the intended effect of flavels words of consolation is to bring the afflicted believer a heavenly vision and strength to endure the sufferings of this present world. No matter how dark and heavy earthly anxieties may seem, they are light compared to the eternal weight of glory and joy in the world to come.

[Daniel Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book on the role of suffering in the Christian life. Highly recommended

[Kenneth Kermit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book to all believers, but most especially to those who are in or around hardships! Wonderful and a tremendous scripture filled blessing!