Why Does God Allow Suffering? (1)
See full series: 2020-recent-sermons
Why Does God Allow Suffering? (1)
Sermon by Thomas Thornhill Jr
Downloads
| Audio | Video | Powerpoint | Outline/Text |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP3 | Youtube | PPT | Outline |
Sunday, April 24, 2020 am – Online Lesson
Often times, when people are dealing with setbacks and struggles, they have a tendency to blame God. They might ask, “Why is God letting this happening to me?” (or the world) They might attribute what we are facing right now as the hand of God and possibly His judgment. So how do we answer that? Today I would like to talk a little about God and suffering.
Not too long ago, I presented some lessons dealing with this topic, but in light of present circumstances, I believe it is beneficial to remind ourselves of some of these things, as we might be wondering about them ourselves OR dealing with friends and family who might be struggling with this subject.
I begin by noting I do not have all the answers. Nor does anyone else. And in seeking answers to such questions, there is no perfect answer – among the reasons being that God does not speak directly to us today, as He did in times past (Hebrews 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12, etc.). But I believe that in God’s word we can find some understanding and guidance as we deal with whatever is happening. His word is profitable to make us complete (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and able to give us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). And that is what we want to notice in our lessons today.
Who is God?
- To begin to answer the question of God and suffering, we first need to understand who God is. So let us take a few moments and notice the God of the Bible – some qualities associated with Him.
- He is all powerful – omnipotent. A continual theme related to God in the Bible is His awesome power. Whenever you hear the word, “almighty” it is a reference to His power.
Jesus said, “With God all things are possible”. (Mark 10:27)
Jeremiah 32:17 says, ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
Job 42:2 says, “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
So many other verses could be added to these that declare God is all powerful. He created this world and all that is in it. Establish the Bible (through prophecies, proving the resurrection, etc. – ALL manifestations of Almighty God), and you know He is totally in control. That is why we can have confidence in Him (1 John 4:4 – He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.) - He is everywhere – aka, omnipresent – there is no place you go to hide from God – Psalm 139:7-11.
Jeremiah 23:23-24 says, “Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord, “And not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.
Being everywhere means we cannot hide from Him and He sees everything. That can be a comfort to one who trusts in Him and it ought to strike fear in anyone who does not (Amos 9:1-4, Hebrews 10:31) - He is all knowing (wise) – aka, omniscient. He knows everything about everything. He knows your innermost thoughts and motives. He knows our hearts. He knows what is best in every circumstance. He knows what the outcome is going to be and can act accordingly.
His word (the Bible) is testament of that. Romans 11:33-36 speaks of the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out.
1 Corinthians 2:16 notes, “Who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” This is in a context addressing the wisdom of God being greater than ours. It also comes with a warning when we think we can improve upon His will.
In this, we can have confidence that He knows what He is doing. - He is loving – we must not forget this when we consider the character of God. He cares about us. He does understand. His rule, while righteous is tempered with love, mercy, patience and grace. He is also good in its highest sense.
1 Peter 5:7, cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you
Romans 5:8, He demonstrates His love in that Christ died for us.
Ephesians 2:4-6 – by His grace (and mercy) we are saved.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 describes Him as, “The Father of mercies and God of all comfort who comforts us in all our tribulation…
Romans 2:4 speaks of His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering as it leads you to repentance.
This is the God who I serve. I believe He is the ONE true God.
This is a quality that sets Him apart from so many deities of other religions and throughout history. It is the reason we have hope.
When we consider whatever is going on in the world, we need to remember these things and seek answers to whatever enigmas we might have with that in mind. - He is sovereign – which means He has the right to rule however He chooses. Whether we like it or not, if He is God and Creator, we are His creation. He has the right to make the rules and to expect us to follow them AND hold us accountable. And He deserves our respect and honor, especially when we consider how He does care, what He has done and what He offers us.
- These are a few qualities of God to consider when we look at what is going on around us at any time.
Why does God allow suffering?
- More directly, Is God the cause of what is happening now? (Because that is typically what one means when such a question is asked). This evening, I want to give some of my thoughts about that and how to deal with suffering. But I will tell you right now, I DON’T KNOW!
But before we give specific consideration, I want to consider in more general terms some thoughts about God and suffering. - Thoughts about God and suffering –
- This discussion does not prove or disprove God. But it does address who God is and His character, which is why we began a discussion on suffering with His character. When we establish His character, we must approach whatever we are dealing with in light of that character. If God is good, suffering doesn’t change that!
- Is God the cause of all suffering?
NO! Much, if not most, suffering is the result of sinful behavior (sometimes directly, or at other times indirectly). How many live miserable lives because of ungodly decisions, or because of the ungodly actions of others?
Crime, much poverty, addictions, immoral behaviors and attitudes (such as lust, greed, hatred, lack of self-control, etc.), materialism, civil unrest, the violation of natural laws (such as gravity, sanitation laws, etc.) and so many other things that produce horrible results, are the product of man’s ungodly decisions. And then when disaster strikes, rather than blaming the one who is at fault, many blame God!
Free-will is another factor – God chose to create man with the ability to choose his destiny and decide how to live. You can find that even in the Garden of Eden where instructions were given to Adam and Eve. Part of the reason the world is where it is at today because of the choices Adam and Eve made.
We must consider the fact that man CHOOSES, and very often, poorly and there are consequences. Sometimes to himself, sometimes to others (whether innocent or not – e.g. a drunk driver injures another), and sometimes it’s the product of society that has chosen how to address moral issues and even the subject of God, or just decisions that have a lasting effect on society. All of these have consequences. - Put the blame where it belongs – on Satan! This world is his dominion that is filled with so much corruption and ungodliness, etc. He is “the god of this age” blinds the minds of so many (2 Corinthians 4:4). He is the father of lies (John 8:44). The world lies under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19) It is his servants who bring about much suffering in the world. He is the roaring lion seeking to devour you – 1 Peter 5:8, the warning given IMMEDIATELY after telling us that God cares about us. Realize that Satan doesn’t care about what is best for you. He wants you to be miserable and bitter. He wants you to blame God.
This is not to be flippant about real suffering, but it would do us well to put the blame where it belongs, and honest examination can see this to be the case. - Be careful in questioning God – Whenever we are dealing with suffering, struggles and disappointments, EVEN IF we don’t understand them, we must not forget this!
Isaiah 55:8-9, we don’t know God’s plans, thoughts or ways. They are higher than ours.
Romans 9:19-24, warns us to be careful when we start questioning God or accusing Him. Years ago in a sermon dealing with difficult subjects such as this, I heard a man made the following statement: “There are questions I cannot answer, but there are also answers that I cannot question.”
NOTE: Are we consistent? How many want to blame God for the bad that happens, but take personal credit for the good? Consider Job 2:10. - However, consider that God ALLOWS suffering. Based on His character as previously discussed, whatever happens, He allows it. And this is where the real struggle comes in. And that is why we must consider the points we have just addressed when we think about this. Again, we may not understand why or how much is appropriate, but that really is not ours to determine. But WHY does He allow it? And can good come from it? Stay tuned for our next lesson.
It is my hope that in this we can see that God really does care about us even as we deal with suffering and struggles in this life. In fact, He designed this world and our existence in such a way that good can come from trials and tribulations. In our next lesson we will focus on that.
In the meantime, let me encourage you to let whatever you face in life draw you closer to Him. And if there is some way I can help you with that, let me know. Think about it.