God is Longsuffering

I attended a memorial service years ago that impacted me.  The thing I remember the most is the point emphatically driven home by the impassioned speaker was death was not God's will.  He bristled at the suggestion the sudden passing of his family member could be the will of God.  The point he made is supported in scriptures like 2 Peter 3:9 which reads, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."  God's will is for people to repent of sin and receive salvation, and though our bodies will go the way of the earth the souls of God's redeemed will be clothed with eternal life in glory.

The fact people physically die shows God allows things to transpire on earth that are not His will.  Mankind has chosen to rebel against God in sin and this has brought innumerable horrors into the world God created good.  Even God's people were guilty of doing things which never came into God's mind, (Jeremiah 19:5-6), that they would sacrifice their children to idols.  God would see to it those people reaped what they had sown when they were slaughtered.  Then God did what is awesome and unthinkable in taking human form and laying down His life on the cross, embracing death for lost sinners so His will could be accomplished to redeem and save them.  God is able to overcome death by the power of His glorious life.

It is easy for us to point out faults in others, and it also simple to find things in this world that are not God's will.  Some are very inquisitive about "God's will" as in regards to them, supposing they must submit to circumstances that are God's will and are justified to rail or fight against what they deem is not His will.  This is a risky proposition, for it can be a temptation for man to sit down in the judgment seat and put God on trial by what He has done or sovereignly allowed.  A more constructive approach would be to submit to desiring and doing God's will as revealed in scripture and the example of Jesus.  There are many things I cannot know or understand about God's will and plans, but based on 2 Peter 3:9 I know God's will is to save lives, not destroy them.  He has sent Jesus to that end, and thus I ought to proclaim and live in light of the Gospel, loving others as Jesus loves me.

1 Peter 4:19 says to followers of Jesus, "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."  This verse shows suffering in itself is not contrary to the will of God, even though it may feel like it should be.  Our commitment to God is shown by doing what He deems good, knowing He is our faithful Creator.  He will not allow us to be tempted without making the way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13), and He will never leave or forsake us.  Paul learned in all circumstances to be content and rejoice in the LORD--even when he suffered much for Christ's sake.  Praise the LORD God is longsuffering toward us, and let us follow the obedient example of Jesus even when suffering is involved.