As I watched the news of a commercial flight that had been downed by a missile last year, my heart sank. Why would people wantonly take the lives of 298 people? Why? This small, three-letter word sits at the root of all our experiences with pain and suffering. It lingers, and sometimes even haunts to the point where faith and understanding collide in crisis.
Suffering exists, and our position as sons and daughters of God doesn’t buy us an exemption from pain (Matthew 5:45). God existed, however, before the creation of this world, and He was good, loving, and just then—as He still is now. Sin opened the door for death and all of the suffering that accompanies it. Adam and Eve’s (and thus our own) choice to sin didn’t change God; it changed mankind (Romans 5:12).
How many times, though, have we put God on trial to prove otherwise because we’ve defined His character based on the pain of this world? (See Numbers 23:19.)
Just as the brokenness of this world can’t define the nature of God, neither can we let it direct our belief in what He can or should do (Isaiah 55:8; Matthew 6:10). I will not expect God to pour out His goodness if I do not believe He is good (Nahum 1:7). We may never see the answer to our “whys” on this earth (Romans 11:33). But this we know: He is a God who never ceases in His acts of redemption.
Stepping out in faith doesn’t mean demanding that God move the way we want. That kind of mindset only brings us back to ourselves (James 4:3). Rather, boldness in the kingdom means we ask God our questions while knowing that He Himself is the all-sufficient answer.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 1:28-53
More:
Read Luke 21:12-13 to see the connection between the trials we face and the power of our testimony.
Next:
Why are faith and suffering not antithetical to one another? How can difficult experiences derail our pursuit of intimacy with God if we don’t have an appropriate view of suffering?
daisymarygoldr on April 12, 2015 at 3:53 am
In Luke 13, people informed Jesus that Pilate had murdered some Galileans while they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. It was like asking: Why would Pilate wantonly take the lives of these pious people worshipping God in the temple? Jesus did not answer their “why die?” question but said, “you, too, will die if you don’t repent.”
All those that have tasted the goodness of God, do not ask why… why bad things happen to good people? This is because, we know that no one is good, no not one; all have sinned; and the wages of sin is death. Whether in a doomed flight or due to a dreadful disease, all of us deserve to die.
We also know that in the right time, God sent Christ to die for us. Anyone who believes in Him will live, even after dying. And those of us that have escaped death, do not waste time whining why. We make the most of our time here on earth to tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ.
“So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you… we continue to preach…And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” 2 Corinthians 4: 12-17
Gary Shultz on April 12, 2015 at 6:10 am
I liked that Daisy. I also like what Blackaby says about the disciples and the storm, truth was in the back of the boat. Life looked like it was about over; however, Christ had a completely different view and wanted them to trust Him in all situations. God knows the sum total of our days and each day is to be lived for Him. The choice is ours as to how we will live it. Thanks
LCC on April 12, 2015 at 9:45 pm
I like how Regina put it : Adam and Eve’s choice to sins didn’t change God; it changed mankind…
Many times we forget that and we blame God (directly or indirectly)…
Yes, Father God. In You there is only good. Absolutely and completely good. Thank you Father, for Your lovingkindness.