While reading about the recent bus accident involving MercyMe I came across one article that postulated: Why did God allow this to happen?
I have heard that question, and variations thereof, a lot over the last few weeks.
"If God is real, why doesn't He heal me?"
"Why does God allow suffering?"
"Why would a compassionate God destroy the whole earth in a flood?"
"Why didn't He stop it?"
"Doesn't He care?"
People are quick to blame and fault God. A tornado, a hurricane, a flood are all called "Acts of God" even by people who don't believe in God! Apparently the Creator of the universe is at fault for all the ill in the world.
I guess people missed that part of Genesis where sin came into the world because of Adam and Eve.
Of course Job and his friends seemed to say and ask some of the same things. David asks those tough questions as well. David talks quite a bit about how the wicked prosper, the good suffer, etc.
We tend to judge God by our human standards of right, wrong and morality. We blame God when others are at fault. We get angry when God doesn't perform for us like a genie in a bottle. We want God to act like we would act in a situation.
NEWS FLASH: WE ARE NOT GOD!
When Job stood before God he became speechless. He humbled himself before the God of the universe. When Moses met God he was physically and visibly changed. His face shone to the point where he had to cover his face. Peter suffered foot and mouth disease when he offered to build shelters when Jesus was transfigured!
God does not have to answer to us. His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
It's ok to ask questions. It's ok to wonder. God knows our pain. He hurts with us. However, if God doesn't move when and how we want, we need to remember He is still God! He has a plan we cannot see.
I want to encourage you, if you have doubts express them to God and then leave them at His feet. Worship Him. Love Him. Trust Him!
3 comments:
Yes, God is not guilty!
It's a fallen world, there is a devil, and there are natural laws.
I know this doesn't completely solve the mystery, but the first step is for Christians to quit blaming God.
I think we have remember that Job's friends did ask such questions and God was going to kill them for their comments if Job didn't pray for them! :)
"After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job's prayer.
Whenever I read their comments I am quick to remind myself of that and keep my mouth from speaking that way. God was not pleased with them. Job's friends are NOT a great example of what is to be said and advice to be given. They are a great example of what NOT to say!
I don't know why it all happens..but God is always my help..not my problem.
Thanks for the feedback!
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