January 7, 2018

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Have you ever noticed how much God gets blamed for bad things?

“I know it’s hard for you right now, but it was just God’s will.”

The Bible tells us that God’s purposes are sometimes beyond our understanding. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

God is not to blame for all the suffering that comes into our lives. Yes, it is God’s overall will that we live in the kind of world that we do, the kind where bad things happen. But God is not the cause of all the problems and tragedies that so often afflict us. SO WHY DO WE SUFFER?

1. Sometimes people suffer because they have violated or interfered with God’s natural laws. Luke 13:4-5 (people who died in Siloam) If you stand underneath a building that falls… If you drive your car head-on into another car… If you dive to the bottom of a swimming pool… Should God sporadically suspend His laws of nature when something bad will happen?

2. Sometimes people suffer because of their personal wrong choices. Judges 6:1 (the people wanted to know why) Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

2. Sometimes people suffer because of their personal wrong choices. 1 Peter 4:15 “By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler.” Proverbs 13:15 “The way of the transgressor is hard.”

3. Sometimes people suffer because of the wrong choices of others. Luke 13:1-3 (perhaps attacked by Pilate) In WW2 six million Jews suffered and died… If a drunk driver crosses over and hits you… Should God take freedom of choice away from those who might abuse it?

4. Sometimes people suffer because of the wrong choices made by others long ago. We reap benefits from things done by people generations before us. We also suffer negative consequences from decisions made by people long ago. Many in the world are starving, and they wonder why God would do such a thing.

4. Sometimes people suffer because of the wrong choices made by others long ago. Exodus 20:4-5 “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above, or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me.”

4. Sometimes people suffer because of the wrong choices made by others long ago. Many forsook the commands of God, and they chose to worship other gods.

4. Sometimes people suffer because of the wrong choices made by others long ago. Why did my baby die before he/she even had a chance to live? Why was my child born with severe birth defects? Why does my friend have some terrible disease? Why did my loved one get sick and die when he/she was needed so much?

4. Sometimes people suffer because of the wrong choices made by others long ago. People once took fertility and other such drugs that resulted in tragic side effects and birth defects. People once used asbestos in the construction and textile industries that resulted in tremendous health problems. Agent Orange and other chemicals produced many deformities and other severe consequences.

It's not God's fault. He is not the one to blame for your suffering. He is the one who can heal you and help you.

Bring Christ Your Broken Life #911 Bring Christ Your Broken Life There are benefits that come from pain and suffering. God understands all about your pain and suffering. This world is not your final home.