FLOWER MOUND, TX, February 10, 2012—The question that drives the discussion of the existence of God centers around evil in a world a “good God” created. Why do people suffer at the hands of a righteous and caring God? Why does he allow wars, floods, earthquakes, disasters, and personal tragedies that claim the lives of the innocent?
This week the world watched in horror as a Josh Powell killed his two sons, himself, and turned their house into a fiery inferno. The world stands by as an evil Syrian regime murders thousands of its citizens including innocent women and children. Hurricanes, tornados, and other natural disasters kill hundreds. Where is God?
The vetting process of political candidates often surface personal tragedies, ethical questions, and moral failures. Why can’t the world be free from corruption and personal tragedies?
While it may be naive to say, “It is in God’s sovereign plan,” it is more difficult to understand that “plan” if you are the victim or the family of the ones suffering. How can a healthy person glibly chide a cancer victim to be faithful because the suffering is God’s will? And yet, it is true.
The question “why?” is the right question but it is not why this happens to me but why does it happen at all? The answer is “sin” and the judgment that followed. Sin is an ugly word! We like the word “bad” or “mistake” better. It is cool to be “bad.” Infidelity of a political figure is simply a “mistake.” TV often portrays the hero to be of questionable character. It is often suggested women like the challenge of flirting with a “bad” man. It is exciting. But if we refer to heroes as “sinners” the emphasis shifts to accountability or judgment—not so “cool.”
One of the earliest books written in the Bible is Job. Job was a righteous man, but he suffered tremendously without ever knowing why. His friends counseled him that he suffered because of his sin—they were wrong. Even his wife begged him to curse God and die—he refused. Throughout the book Job claimed innocence. We only know why he suffered from the book’s prolog—God permitted it to demonstrate to Satan that His servant would not fold under the pressure of personal suffering.
Job asks the question, “Why doesn’t the Almighty bring the wicked to judgment? Why must the godly wait for him in vain” (Job 24:1 New Living Translation). Don’t many today ask this question?
Job’s words of wisdom ring true in the 21st century, “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” Jesus said, “For he (the Father) gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.”
The message is clear: both those justified by belief in Christ and those who do not believe are recipients of God’s bright sunshine, rain, seasonal changes, and the natural laws that prevent utter destruction of the planet. But He has also programmed in natural disasters as well.
But, why does any bad have to come from a “good God?” It can be summed up in two words, “the fall.” Genesis records the fall of human nature and judgment on mankind and nature. For believing mankind there is redemption from the curse. “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” (Romans 8:2-3)
The curse on all creation will be reversed: “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8: 18-22)
What is God’s point in permitting suffering? The New Testament reveals an interesting concept: “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (I Peter 1:6-7)
Human tragedy is experienced by everyone. Not all tragedies can be explained by human wisdom nor is the one suffering always comforted by biblical teachings. Men and women suffer personally and privately and often with many questions. Generally speaking trials and suffering are not attributed to personal sin, or ones lack of belief. In most cases it is God seeking to bring out the genuine in ones faith and purge the dross. Some catastrophes, however, simply lack immediate understanding or explanation.
When understanding of tragedy eludes us, Peter encourages us to rest in faith with an attitude of joy.
Of course this explanation of suffering and tragedy depends on accepting the authority of Scripture. If you do not accept Scripture and seek authority from other books, use scientific explanations, or depend on your limited inner thinking processes, you will need to deal with tragedy on other terms. As for me, I eagerly await my reunion with the righteous Savior.
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