When things seem to be going well in our lives it is easy to acknowledge the goodness of God. But in the face of tragedy or calamity doubts about God's goodness suddenly crowd our thoughts. Reflecting on my own experiences however, when I have praised God in the midst of suffering, the comfort and peace I enjoy triumphs over "good" times when I took God for granted. Would to God His people would demonstrate the faith of Job when confronted with grave personal tragedies in Job 1:21-22: "And he
said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. the
LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." 22 In all this Job did not
sin nor charge God with wrong." Trust in the goodness of God in the land of living brought Job to praise God when circumstances knocked him to his knees.
In a series of rhetorical questions Amos posed before Israelites of the northern kingdom, he concluded with a flourish in Amos 3:6, "If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the LORD have done it?" For whatever reason it is easier for us to believe if life is smooth it is the blessing of God and when things are tough Satan is to blame. We imagine people who suffer are deserving of punishment for some hidden sin, or those who are "blessed" have "done something right." But what of the grace of God who causes rain to fall on the just and unjust, Who daily loads us all with blessings and benefits? Even judgment for sin is a providential gift from the hands of our heavenly Father who loves us.
God is never a passive player in the universe or caught unawares by satanic plots. Not one calamity occurs without His knowledge and intent to redeem it fully for those who trust in Him. Joseph provides a good example of man intending things for evil but God using it to save many people alive. Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery in a foreign land but God redeemed it. It was a painful season for Joseph to be betrayed by his own flesh and blood for a pocket of silver, but later Joseph was given the insight to realise it. He said to his brothers in Genesis 45:5, "But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life." It was like Joseph needed to remind his brothers over and over to convince them of God's guiding hand in his past, for he said in Genesis 50:19-20: "Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."
Now take care believer: it is one thing for Job to praise God despite his own suffering and Joseph to credit God for sending him to Egypt, but we must not presumptuously speak for God concerning the suffering of others. Explaining why they might be suffering or how it can be redeemed can be false hope which distracts from the goodness, grace, and mercy of God: He has done it but remains good. Are not God's ways higher than ours? Aren't His means and ways of redemption beyond our vision? It was not good Job lost all his children to tragedy in a day but God was able to redeem it for good. It was no way "good" the righteous Son of God was pierced on Calvary's cross, but God redeemed it to save many alive. Death was never the will of God, but it was God's will Jesus go to the cross to save many alive. Sometimes God opens our eyes to the why of a calamity, but better to realise Who God is to us, gracious and good, and despite our pain to draw near to Him in faith. He is the only One who can save.
In a series of rhetorical questions Amos posed before Israelites of the northern kingdom, he concluded with a flourish in Amos 3:6, "If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the LORD have done it?" For whatever reason it is easier for us to believe if life is smooth it is the blessing of God and when things are tough Satan is to blame. We imagine people who suffer are deserving of punishment for some hidden sin, or those who are "blessed" have "done something right." But what of the grace of God who causes rain to fall on the just and unjust, Who daily loads us all with blessings and benefits? Even judgment for sin is a providential gift from the hands of our heavenly Father who loves us.
God is never a passive player in the universe or caught unawares by satanic plots. Not one calamity occurs without His knowledge and intent to redeem it fully for those who trust in Him. Joseph provides a good example of man intending things for evil but God using it to save many people alive. Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery in a foreign land but God redeemed it. It was a painful season for Joseph to be betrayed by his own flesh and blood for a pocket of silver, but later Joseph was given the insight to realise it. He said to his brothers in Genesis 45:5, "But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life." It was like Joseph needed to remind his brothers over and over to convince them of God's guiding hand in his past, for he said in Genesis 50:19-20: "Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."
Now take care believer: it is one thing for Job to praise God despite his own suffering and Joseph to credit God for sending him to Egypt, but we must not presumptuously speak for God concerning the suffering of others. Explaining why they might be suffering or how it can be redeemed can be false hope which distracts from the goodness, grace, and mercy of God: He has done it but remains good. Are not God's ways higher than ours? Aren't His means and ways of redemption beyond our vision? It was not good Job lost all his children to tragedy in a day but God was able to redeem it for good. It was no way "good" the righteous Son of God was pierced on Calvary's cross, but God redeemed it to save many alive. Death was never the will of God, but it was God's will Jesus go to the cross to save many alive. Sometimes God opens our eyes to the why of a calamity, but better to realise Who God is to us, gracious and good, and despite our pain to draw near to Him in faith. He is the only One who can save.
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