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Behind A Frowning Providence
God's gracious purpose in the sorrows and suffering of his people.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 13, 2023
I read this in high school. Formative in shaping my view of God.
February 21, 2023
Absolutely fantastic. I now need to read it again.
August 6, 2024
"Behind a Frowning Providence" by John Murray is an excellent read. I can see myself using it in ministry for a long time.
The concept of “dark providence” is a difficult theme to grasp. Essentially, while the Lord does bring us to lie by green pastures, He also leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. In other words, God's providence occasionally brings us to suffering. This booklet is helpful in understanding this concept and explaining why God might sometimes include suffering in His plan for us.
As someone who has endured long suffering, I was thankful to have read this and will probably buy more copies to give out.
The concept of “dark providence” is a difficult theme to grasp. Essentially, while the Lord does bring us to lie by green pastures, He also leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. In other words, God's providence occasionally brings us to suffering. This booklet is helpful in understanding this concept and explaining why God might sometimes include suffering in His plan for us.
As someone who has endured long suffering, I was thankful to have read this and will probably buy more copies to give out.
July 28, 2025
Worth keeping on hand to read on a regular rotation
December 21, 2018
This little pamphlet was phenomenal! If you are wrestling with suffering presently or trying to think through past suffering I would highly recommend Murray’s pamphlet as a starting point. Plenty to mine in these short essays.
Murray understands providence, why it is hard to understand and yet a biblical truth we desperately need.
He writes soberly about suffering and doesn’t cheapen pain. And yet he points us back to the greater purposes of suffering in the life of Christians.
Murray understands providence, why it is hard to understand and yet a biblical truth we desperately need.
He writes soberly about suffering and doesn’t cheapen pain. And yet he points us back to the greater purposes of suffering in the life of Christians.
January 23, 2025
29 pages, definitely recommend it.
September 5, 2014
People are usually more anxious to get rid of the problem than they are to find the purpose of God in it. "Afflictions", says Mathew Henry, "are continued no longer than till they have done their work." p.25
How one understands and responds to suffering can become the differential factor between a lifetime of depression, anger and bitterness or a deepening relationship with God and maturing Christian character. Behind A Frowning Providence supplies a Scripture-based analysis of suffering that counters common, tormenting responses--not based on Scripture--that are usually variations of:
1. God doesn't love me.
2. God isn't strong enough to protect me.
3. If my faith was stronger I could believe it away.
In this very brief booklet, Murray looks at Providence, God's purposes for, and the comfort available in, our suffering. I recommend Behind A Frowning Providence for every Christian, because everyone will have trials at one time or another that pushes them the edge of their faith.
How one understands and responds to suffering can become the differential factor between a lifetime of depression, anger and bitterness or a deepening relationship with God and maturing Christian character. Behind A Frowning Providence supplies a Scripture-based analysis of suffering that counters common, tormenting responses--not based on Scripture--that are usually variations of:
1. God doesn't love me.
2. God isn't strong enough to protect me.
3. If my faith was stronger I could believe it away.
In this very brief booklet, Murray looks at Providence, God's purposes for, and the comfort available in, our suffering. I recommend Behind A Frowning Providence for every Christian, because everyone will have trials at one time or another that pushes them the edge of their faith.
July 27, 2023
This is the second time I’ve read this wonderful little book. I highly recommend it to any Christian who endures sorrow and suffering. Two of my favorite sentences include: “ While it is always wrong to react in rebellion and anger against God’s dealings with us, it is right to consider why they are part of our lot. There is a right and a wrong way of asking,Why?’”
August 27, 2023
This short little Banner of Truth booklet is based on the hymn by William Cowper which reads in one of if its stanzas "Behind a Frowning Providence, He hides a smiling face."
Murray begins by arguing that there is indeed a providence, meaning to see beforehand, which only God can truly and fully do (WCF 3.1 and WSC Q&A 8). What can be said of this plan of providence? Murray gives several answers:
· The plan is perfect
· The plan is exhaustive
· The plan is for my ultimate good
· The plan is secret
It should be noted here that while God has only one will, we can speak about it in two different aspects, namely His revealed will and His secret will where the former is made known through the Scriptures as a rule of our duty and the latter is made known in His providence to be submitted to and observed. Likewise there are aspects to the providence of God such that we might refer to them as uncommon providences, like miracles, and common providences, like a refreshing rain. Murray goes on to differentiate between great providences, such as the crossing of the Red Sea, and small providences, like a king being unable to sleep at night. But to the point of this booklet, there are favorable or smiling providences, and there are frowning or dark providences.
Is it true that there are dark or frowning providences? Murray argues that there is such a thing, writing that "It is the presence of the dark providences in the universe and in our lives that go a long way to make up what John Flavel called 'the mystery of providence.'" Adversity typically elicits two different responses from individuals. Either it is ascribed to something or someone besides God and He is powerless against it, or some believe it is a sign of God's anger. While the first conclusion is patently false, the second can be true but it is not always the case. Some bad situations in life are due to past sins, Murray writes, but typically it is simply the case that we are living in a fallen world. Suffering is a normal and expected part of the Christian's life.
It is clear that God has a design and purpose in these Dark Providences. In Murray's thought, there are at least six ways that God uses suffering as part of His good design.
1. Sufferings are to try us.
How we react in affliction is a good test of person's Christianity. Luther quipped that "Affliction is the Christian's greatest theologian." Sufferings can be used to purge the dross from us, leaving faith behind.
2. Sufferings are to expose our sins
The heart is corrupt and deceitful, such that we do not even recognize hidden sins in our own lives. While God will never break the bruised reed, he will bring to light those things that are not in accordance with His law, and sufferings make them float to the top.
3. Sufferings are to build character.
This sounds like a quip my dad would say when I skinned my knee or something, but in this case it is very true. Trials and tribulations bring about a patient endurance. Joseph is a key example of this; all of his sufferings brought about a God-fearinf character in him that was not easily shaken.
4. Sufferings bring us to know God better.
There are lessons that can not be taught, but only learned. Sermons, lectures, and other mediums can only take us so far to increase our knowledge of the Lord. But sufferings bring us closer to God more than just about anything else. Luther quipped that he "never knew the meaning of God's word until I came into affliction."
5. Sufferings produce fruit in our lives and prepare us for usefulness.
Spurgeon quipped that "God gets His best soldiers out of the Highlands of affliction." Thomas Boston wrote that "It is the usual way of providence with me that blessing comes through several iron gates." The apostle Paul of course struggled with his own thorn in the flesh, but he gloried in his infirmities.
6. Sufferings lead us to make God our all and to prepare us for glory.
Thomas Watson stated that "When God lays men on their backs, they they look up to heaven." Affliction and sufferings should lead us to return back into the arms of God. We are being prepared for Glory.
All of these blessings from sufferings does not make them anymore enjoyable of course. So what are our comforts when in Dark Providence? Murray lists at least four:
1. There is always a purpose of love behind dark providences.
2. There is much that remains a mystery and for which there is no immediate answer.
3. The only ultimate solution is to cultivate nearness to God.
4. We can be assured that the outcome will be "big with mercy."
This was a helpful little booklet that reminds the reader that all things that come to pass are sovereignly ordained, and that is not something to fear but rather something to rest in.
Murray begins by arguing that there is indeed a providence, meaning to see beforehand, which only God can truly and fully do (WCF 3.1 and WSC Q&A 8). What can be said of this plan of providence? Murray gives several answers:
· The plan is perfect
· The plan is exhaustive
· The plan is for my ultimate good
· The plan is secret
It should be noted here that while God has only one will, we can speak about it in two different aspects, namely His revealed will and His secret will where the former is made known through the Scriptures as a rule of our duty and the latter is made known in His providence to be submitted to and observed. Likewise there are aspects to the providence of God such that we might refer to them as uncommon providences, like miracles, and common providences, like a refreshing rain. Murray goes on to differentiate between great providences, such as the crossing of the Red Sea, and small providences, like a king being unable to sleep at night. But to the point of this booklet, there are favorable or smiling providences, and there are frowning or dark providences.
Is it true that there are dark or frowning providences? Murray argues that there is such a thing, writing that "It is the presence of the dark providences in the universe and in our lives that go a long way to make up what John Flavel called 'the mystery of providence.'" Adversity typically elicits two different responses from individuals. Either it is ascribed to something or someone besides God and He is powerless against it, or some believe it is a sign of God's anger. While the first conclusion is patently false, the second can be true but it is not always the case. Some bad situations in life are due to past sins, Murray writes, but typically it is simply the case that we are living in a fallen world. Suffering is a normal and expected part of the Christian's life.
It is clear that God has a design and purpose in these Dark Providences. In Murray's thought, there are at least six ways that God uses suffering as part of His good design.
1. Sufferings are to try us.
How we react in affliction is a good test of person's Christianity. Luther quipped that "Affliction is the Christian's greatest theologian." Sufferings can be used to purge the dross from us, leaving faith behind.
2. Sufferings are to expose our sins
The heart is corrupt and deceitful, such that we do not even recognize hidden sins in our own lives. While God will never break the bruised reed, he will bring to light those things that are not in accordance with His law, and sufferings make them float to the top.
3. Sufferings are to build character.
This sounds like a quip my dad would say when I skinned my knee or something, but in this case it is very true. Trials and tribulations bring about a patient endurance. Joseph is a key example of this; all of his sufferings brought about a God-fearinf character in him that was not easily shaken.
4. Sufferings bring us to know God better.
There are lessons that can not be taught, but only learned. Sermons, lectures, and other mediums can only take us so far to increase our knowledge of the Lord. But sufferings bring us closer to God more than just about anything else. Luther quipped that he "never knew the meaning of God's word until I came into affliction."
5. Sufferings produce fruit in our lives and prepare us for usefulness.
Spurgeon quipped that "God gets His best soldiers out of the Highlands of affliction." Thomas Boston wrote that "It is the usual way of providence with me that blessing comes through several iron gates." The apostle Paul of course struggled with his own thorn in the flesh, but he gloried in his infirmities.
6. Sufferings lead us to make God our all and to prepare us for glory.
Thomas Watson stated that "When God lays men on their backs, they they look up to heaven." Affliction and sufferings should lead us to return back into the arms of God. We are being prepared for Glory.
All of these blessings from sufferings does not make them anymore enjoyable of course. So what are our comforts when in Dark Providence? Murray lists at least four:
1. There is always a purpose of love behind dark providences.
2. There is much that remains a mystery and for which there is no immediate answer.
3. The only ultimate solution is to cultivate nearness to God.
4. We can be assured that the outcome will be "big with mercy."
This was a helpful little booklet that reminds the reader that all things that come to pass are sovereignly ordained, and that is not something to fear but rather something to rest in.
December 20, 2021
Amazing short book. American Christianity has taught me the opposite of rejoicing because of suffering. Instead, we have begun to believe the lie that we should get rid of any suffering in our lives and that we are entitled to a life that aligns itself with prosperity. Murray shatters that lie.
He says:
"We must not be deceived by the current view that invites us to get rid of our troubles and sickness and then rejoice. The New Testament calls on us to rejoice in the midst of sufferings. Indeed we ought to be alarmed if we have no experience of sufferings. Indeed we ought to be alarmed if we have no experience of suffering, for we suffer with him that we may be glorified together. There is no glory without suffering."
He says:
"We must not be deceived by the current view that invites us to get rid of our troubles and sickness and then rejoice. The New Testament calls on us to rejoice in the midst of sufferings. Indeed we ought to be alarmed if we have no experience of sufferings. Indeed we ought to be alarmed if we have no experience of suffering, for we suffer with him that we may be glorified together. There is no glory without suffering."
October 1, 2024
Literally inhaled this book. Lovely - and helpful (great combo). Practical encouragement on suffering/affliction. Teaches about suffering, about character, about our theology of God (and how that manifests practically in times of trial - and differing between knowing about God, and KNOWING God), how suffering can produce usefulness. And how we aren’t actually owed explanations. Very digestible - my only quibble is I wish it were longer!
April 9, 2020
Brief and excellent book! If you have an hour or so, you will be greatly blessed
January 29, 2023
John Murray presents a biblical definition of providence, and then focuses his discussion on the 'dark providences' experienced by the saints. These 'dark providences' (or suffering) are noted as somewhat of a mystery to humans, but are for our good, for God's glory, and for the strengthening of our trust in the Lord. This short work does a great job highlighting the benefits of suffering for Christ - knowing God better, fruitfulness borne from trials, reflection on the glory awaiting us, and further developed trust in the promises of God. He states, "We are to measure God's love not by his providence but by his promise." One great question posed is instead of asking "Why do Christians suffer?" shouldn't we ask "If God were to strip us of everything would we still love and worship him?". Ultimately, Murray directs the reader to consider Christ - one who was made perfect through suffering, and those united to Him will follow after their Savior on this path to glory.
This small book can be a big help to someone experiencing a trial of some kind, or someone just questioning suffering. It also helps draw us away from a health, wealth, and prosperity mindset that is very prevalent today. One simply can't read their bible and take away that suffering is not going to happen, but (as Murray exhorts readers to) one can lean on the everlasting arms of the Savior knowing that our feeble, frail minds can't understand everything God is doing through our suffering, one can only trust Him.
This small book can be a big help to someone experiencing a trial of some kind, or someone just questioning suffering. It also helps draw us away from a health, wealth, and prosperity mindset that is very prevalent today. One simply can't read their bible and take away that suffering is not going to happen, but (as Murray exhorts readers to) one can lean on the everlasting arms of the Savior knowing that our feeble, frail minds can't understand everything God is doing through our suffering, one can only trust Him.
November 13, 2013
This is a book I would highly recommend for all believers but particularly those who are in a season of suffering. Dr. Murray helps direct our attention back to Christ, rather than focusing on getting answers to why tribulations are happening. God designs & tailors every frowning providence uniquely for us & far more important than having explanations is the nearness of God in our experience. Also encouragement comes from knowing the trial won't last any longer than it needs to in order to accomplish it's work. God's ways are higher than ours, this must be our meditation when everything happening around us cannot be understood. My only disappointment with this book is that it wasn't longer!
January 15, 2015
I loved every thing in this booklet, and would wholeheartedly recommend it to others, except for one of the very last things Murray includes in it!
He quotes M'Cheyne: "How soon you will find that everything in your history, except sin, has been for you." It is those words--"except sin"--that spoil it! Without condoning sin in any way, the Bible nevertheless promises that "all things" work together for the good of God's people (Rom. 8:28), which includes even our sins and failures. God uses it all for our good. It is unfortunate that Murray included this last quote, which spoiled an otherwise excellent and sensitive booklet on the suffering of God's people.
He quotes M'Cheyne: "How soon you will find that everything in your history, except sin, has been for you." It is those words--"except sin"--that spoil it! Without condoning sin in any way, the Bible nevertheless promises that "all things" work together for the good of God's people (Rom. 8:28), which includes even our sins and failures. God uses it all for our good. It is unfortunate that Murray included this last quote, which spoiled an otherwise excellent and sensitive booklet on the suffering of God's people.
December 26, 2015
This has been excellent. I wanted to restart it as soon as I finished it (which admittedly wasn't long after I first started it)... and buy 20 copies to give out.
June 26, 2025
27 pages in the comfort of God’s providence. Worth every minute!
April 8, 2023
Compassionate, comforting, encouraging, biblical booklet on suffering.
Notes
God's plan is perfect, exhaustive (Mt 10:30), for the ultimate good of His people (Rom 8:28), secret.
Suffering is a normal part of Christian life (Ecc 7:13; Jn 16:33; Heb 2:10; 11; 1 Pet 4:13; Acts 14:22). Early church emphasized rejoicing in suffering.
God's purposes for our suffering
• Try/test us (1 Pet 1:3-7; Gen 22:12)
• Expose our sin (Job 42:6; Ps 73:22)
• Build our character (Rom 5:1-5)
• Help us know God better (Job 42:5-6)
• Produce fruit in our lives, prepare us for usefulness (2 Cor 12:7-9)
• Drive us to realize we need God, and desire eternity with Him (Ps 73:25)
God has a loving purpose behind all our suffering (Gen 50:20; Job 1:21; Rom 8:28).
Point of book of Job isn't "why do Christians suffer?" but "if God took everything from you, would you still love and serve Him?"
Ultimate solution to suffering is to cultivate nearness to God; to get things in eternal perspective (Ps 73:17; Jas 5:11).
At moment Job thought his life was useless and all was lost, he was doing greatest thing: glorifying God.
"God has forged an inseparable link between sufferings and glory. That was the road that Christ took."
"The trials of life can be God's tool for engraving the image of his Son on our character. The experiences may not enjoyable but they are profitable."
Notes
God's plan is perfect, exhaustive (Mt 10:30), for the ultimate good of His people (Rom 8:28), secret.
Suffering is a normal part of Christian life (Ecc 7:13; Jn 16:33; Heb 2:10; 11; 1 Pet 4:13; Acts 14:22). Early church emphasized rejoicing in suffering.
God's purposes for our suffering
• Try/test us (1 Pet 1:3-7; Gen 22:12)
• Expose our sin (Job 42:6; Ps 73:22)
• Build our character (Rom 5:1-5)
• Help us know God better (Job 42:5-6)
• Produce fruit in our lives, prepare us for usefulness (2 Cor 12:7-9)
• Drive us to realize we need God, and desire eternity with Him (Ps 73:25)
God has a loving purpose behind all our suffering (Gen 50:20; Job 1:21; Rom 8:28).
Point of book of Job isn't "why do Christians suffer?" but "if God took everything from you, would you still love and serve Him?"
Ultimate solution to suffering is to cultivate nearness to God; to get things in eternal perspective (Ps 73:17; Jas 5:11).
At moment Job thought his life was useless and all was lost, he was doing greatest thing: glorifying God.
"God has forged an inseparable link between sufferings and glory. That was the road that Christ took."
"The trials of life can be God's tool for engraving the image of his Son on our character. The experiences may not enjoyable but they are profitable."
August 22, 2020
Es increíble cómo un libro de 32 páginas puede decir más que uno de 250.
He leído cinco libros sobre el sufrimiento, en lo que va este año.
Este es el mejor de los cuatro.
La precisión para el uso de palabras, aunque se debe apreciar mejor si el inglés es tu lengua materna, es de tal magnitud que he caído en arrepentimiento, asombro y adoración.
No tengo muchas palabras para describir este libro, sino solo: léelo.
No desperdiciarás tu tiempo.
Me siento abrumado con lo que ha de venir después de leer un libro más sobre el sufrimiento. Sin embargo, la providencia oscura que mis ojos ven, en la eternidad darán las gracias.
Porque: "Cada ola de aflicción [en la tormenta], te está empujando hacia una soleada costa de la eternidad sin pecado". Paráfrasis mía.
Toma y lee.
He leído cinco libros sobre el sufrimiento, en lo que va este año.
Este es el mejor de los cuatro.
La precisión para el uso de palabras, aunque se debe apreciar mejor si el inglés es tu lengua materna, es de tal magnitud que he caído en arrepentimiento, asombro y adoración.
No tengo muchas palabras para describir este libro, sino solo: léelo.
No desperdiciarás tu tiempo.
Me siento abrumado con lo que ha de venir después de leer un libro más sobre el sufrimiento. Sin embargo, la providencia oscura que mis ojos ven, en la eternidad darán las gracias.
Porque: "Cada ola de aflicción [en la tormenta], te está empujando hacia una soleada costa de la eternidad sin pecado". Paráfrasis mía.
Toma y lee.
December 20, 2023
Taking Cowper’s great hymn essentially as his premise, Murray does a very good job working through how we understand God’s providence in our suffering. Both comforting and encouraging. Murray makes great use of the works of many from church history, making clear that suffering is not a new phenomenon, nor one that is necessarily bad. A beneficial read.
I was split between three and four stars. I have opted for three, on the basis that much weight was put on those from church history and their work, while the exposition of scripture examples was somewhat lacking. That isn’t to say there weren’t any, there were, and they were well used, but it just felt somewhat unevenly weighted.
Still an easy read, and would recommend.
I was split between three and four stars. I have opted for three, on the basis that much weight was put on those from church history and their work, while the exposition of scripture examples was somewhat lacking. That isn’t to say there weren’t any, there were, and they were well used, but it just felt somewhat unevenly weighted.
Still an easy read, and would recommend.
March 27, 2023
A short, but mighty book pamphlet on suffering. This is for those who are confused in the midst of their suffering or those who just came out of it. It brings clarity and focus to the reason behind suffering and how we are comforted in the midst of it. Highly recommend and will be going back to this for reminders.
May 13, 2021
Short, rich booklet on suffering. I highly recommend to anyone, even those who are not in the midst of a trial. If we live long enough, we will suffer in this sin-stained world, and understanding God and His character will be paramount in those moments of refinement.
January 30, 2023
In this small booklet, John Murray writes to console saints in the midst of affliction with a combination of God’s promises, understanding providence, and hymns. The work is a brief 29 pages full of excellent doctrine and council.
June 22, 2024
This is just a little booklet, but it’s a wonderful primer/review, packed with rich and comforting reminders of God’s tender providence in his people’s afflictions. It would be good for churches to keep a stack on hand to give away.
March 17, 2018
If you know someone afflicted with intense trials, give them this booklet. Superb counsel and care.
Read
February 18, 2020Excellent.
June 23, 2021
"Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face."
The God of all comfort dwells with His people in the midst of their darkest season!
The God of all comfort dwells with His people in the midst of their darkest season!
March 27, 2022
I’ve read it. And read it again. And again. Then once more. Then gave away maybe a dozen….
May 6, 2022
Incredible little book! It may be short, but it is a deep reminder of God’s love shown through suffering. Thank you Betty T for this one.
November 8, 2022
Murray weaves together Scripture, and the experiences of saints within, as well as the experiences of saints throughout church history. Everyone would benefit from reading this booklet.
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