I hear many versions of this.
“Why would a merciful, loving God allow _________(fill in the blank)?
“Why does God allow disease?”
“Why did God allow the Corona virus?”
“Why didn’t God stop the Las Vegas shooter?”
Bad things happen……….if you don’t accept this, you just aren’t paying attention. Sometimes, these bad things are the work of Satan. Sometimes they are the result of a fallible human exercising his free will.
But, sometimes………..they are the work of God. If we look through the Bible, God often allows, or even sets up a tragedy, as the first step in a process that ends well.
Jesus dawdles on the way visit to Lazarus…….who then dies. This sets the stage for one of Jesus’s greatest miracles.
Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers………….leading to his becoming the CEO of Egypt and to his saving the Jewish people.
Paul is unjustly thrown into prison. While there, he writes letters that wind up being a big part of the new testament.
Jesus was tortured and killed………leading to his resurrection and the salvation of hundreds of millions.
In each of these cases………to an observer at the time……..the first step looks bad: Lazarus dies, Joseph is enslaved, Paul is imprisoned, Jesus is murdered. But in each case, God’s “big picture” plan ultimately plays out and the ending is a triumph.
The problem is that you and I are stuck in time……we can’t see the consequences that God is setting up……..down the road. We see step #2 which is painful, but we are blind to step #8 which is the payback.
But God can see it all. He operates outside of the limitations of time. He is the God of step #2……..but he is also the God of step #8.
So……..
When bad things happen, we must not be angry with God.
When bad things happen, we must not reject God.
When something bad happens, we must remember that this may be the first step in a process ………..a process that will culminate in something that we cannot see or understand……… something that is being set into motion by a creator who loves us.
This calls for trust and patience. This calls for trust…..that God loves us and will take care of us……….in the long run. This calls for patience……..that when the smoke clears, we will be taken care of……..because, first and foremost, God loves us.
Because………first and foremost………..God loves us.
He loves me.
He loves you.
“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
God, NIV
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God, NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Paul, NIV
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
David, ESV