In recent days, the headlines have shouted the tragic events from throughout the world- earthquake, tsunami, radiation, uprisings, death, wars, and on and on. Japan, Haiti, Egypt, Libya just to mention a few of the countries. Even at home we see news stories about murder, theft, abuse, and the list goes on. Is the world coming apart at the seams? Can we make any sense out of these things? Is there a God who really cares? Are we living in a world governed by fate, chance, the alignment of the stars, random events? Why?- is the question we often hear.Another question often brought up is “if God is all powerful, then why does He allow suffering?” Or “how could a loving God allow these tragic events?” Or even more challenging, “How can anyone believe in God in light of all of the suffering that we see and experience in this world?” In fact, several years ago a controversial book entitled “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” sought to answer the problem. The result is an impotent God in whom we can have no hope.

John Stuart Mill raised this classic objection against the Christian faith: if God is omnipotent and allows all this suffering, then he is not benevolent, he is not kindhearted, he is not a loving God. And if he’s loving to the whole world and allows suffering, then he is certainly not all-powerful. And given the fact of evil, or the fact of suffering, according to Mill, we could never conclude that God is both omnipotent and benevolent.

To find the answer it is to the Scripture that we must go! Part of the problem is that we have been examining the issue from “man’s perspective” rather than “God’s.” From the Scripture, we find that suffering is intrinsically related to the fallen nature of the world. Before there was sin; there was no suffering. God’s Word tells us that suffering in this world is part of the complex of God’s judgement upon it. The question that should be asked is, “how can a just judge not allow punishment for those who have committed acts of violence or crimes of any sort?” The question relates to God’s holiness (Prov. 9:10) and his perfect righteousness (Gen. 18:25; Deut. 32:4). Our understanding of God is rooted and grounded in the teaching of Scripture that he is the just Judge. The Judge of all of the earth always does right.

In John 9, Jesus is asked: “who sinned that this man was born blind?” The question only allows for two alternatives- the man or his parents. Jesus’ answer gives us a third option- “it is for God’s glory (vs. 3)!” In this case, it was a spectacular healing. We don’t always know the purposes of God, but we do know that his purpose is good (Rom. 8:28).

According to James 1:2-4, suffering is used by God to shape our character and build up our faith. In other words, to mature us! Job, who suffered, much describes this in chapter 42 when he says, “I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.” Through suffering, God had drawn Job so close to himself! Which would you rather have- someone to whom you are close on the other end of the telephone or next to you?”

God also uses suffering to bring about conversion; whether it is individual or cultures. Amos 5 describes events ordained by God that confronted the people with their sin and rebellion. God reminds man that he is not in control and that he must bow the knee, humble himself before God and trust in the sovereign Lord of the universe. Great revivals have resulted!

Habakkuk knew this God and was able to say in the midst of impending upheaval of his culture (3:16-17), “yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.” (3:18-19).”

Paul writes, in prison because of persecution, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice” (Phil 4:4).”

Why could they have such confidence? Because they trusted in Jesus, the Lord of the Universe, who told them “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).” Praise the Lord! I don’t understand why things happen but I trust in the Lord who is behind it all. Read the book of Habakkuk- only 3 chapters; good reading. My trust is in Jesus! Is yours?