If you’ve been watching the news lately, you know that there’s a lot of suffering in the world just now: earthquakes rocking Indonesia; typhoons ravaging the Philippines and Vietnam; floodwaters deluging parts of India; a tsunami shattering American Samoa.
It makes me ask, Why, God?
But then I read Psalm 46:1-3: “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Apt descriptions for our times. God knows such things shake us to the core. Yet He wants us to put our faith in Him—no matter what.
And if we do that, the question changes: What now, God?
I don’t think God wants any of this suffering. I don’t know why He allows it. But I do know He brings good out of bad.
What if the recent disasters present yet another opportunity to bring good news to the poor—to show the disbelieving how big our God is by helping to save the world He loves? We pray, sometimes every day, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” But how do we live daily as kingdom-bearers, even when the earth seems to be revolting against us?
Let me hear from you. What’s your reaction to calamities? Are you overwhelmed, or do you feel more deeply convicted of your part in God’s plan?
Up above you made the comment brother Stearns, “I don’t know why He allows it, (suffering) but, we do know why He allows it. Because when people turn their backs on God, resist Him, and live wickedly sin-filled lives, there is a horrible price we pay. A fallen world, suffering people, NEED Jesus Christ to pluck them up out of the rubble of a shattered existence. Some only come to Jesus Christ when they look around and realize “they” are not in control and everything looks hopeless and desperate. Jesus lovingly waits, a breath away, arms open so wide. Gods Word told us these devastating things would come… so they are no surprise. They are so horrible to watch unfold. And yes, babies and children suffer for the sins of the fathers (and mothers). Tribes of people, from the earliest of Bible days, walked away from God, and chose to become nations that honored and served Baal, or false gods whatever they are called. And we live in such a time that we are witnessing (sp) this world crumble before our eyes because nations have told God NO. Yet God allowed Lot and his 2 daughters to escape Sodom and Gomorrah before the earthquakes destroyed the land where the people all worshipped Baal. What kind of a God allows such pain and suffering was asked, and is asked today? The kind of God that Offers a way out of such a horrible place with the whisper of simple sincere words…”I surrender my life and heart to You, Lord Jesus, save me”. God bless each one of you who go into Sodom and Gomorrah today, with the message of Hope thru Jesus Christ! The task must feel daunting, yet Christ sustains and keeps you. I love Jesus with all of my heart…but I am not out in the trenches where I should be. A child of God
I agree with what you said.
I was keep telling myself why God allows the suffering. As you said, God has compassion toward those in suffering.
We as Christians should take this chance to help, love and care those in need and spread Gospel to them.
Richard,
I left this comment today on your post.
“I have moved away from questions that I have no answers for – to do deal with answers I cannot escape.” -Tom Skinner
Skinner was a friend of mine (former gang leader in Harlem) He passed on to me the Biblical precedence of God’s concern for the poor & oppressed. It was Tom’s contention that when Jesus said “the poor you will have with always”, He meant that we would always have the opportunity of pouring our lives out to others in Jesus name.
Like Tom…I have to move away from “Why?” to “What would you have me do?”
We are excited about your book & are distributing it here in North Florida.
Peace,
John Roush
I can’t explain why there’s so much suffering in the world either. The only semi-satisfying answer I can give is that we live in a fallen, broken world, so of course bad things will happen. But it’s not a thought that gives me any great comfort in the midst of tragedy.
And yet I do wonder why it takes a tsunami or typhoon or earthquake to get me to focus on the needs of these people. I mean when was the last time I thought about American Samoa and the needs of the people there? I hate to admit it but often it takes a nevere natural disaster to really get my attention.
I think that needs to change.
I feel hopeless when I see these large scale calamities. It seems unfair, and although I know God didn’t “cause” them, He could do something to prevent them. I know that WE are they way God rescues the victims, but it is so hard when we live in a protected bubble in America. I can agree with the reasoning of your “What now, God” belief… and I believe it myself. But, it’s still easy to fall back into a hopeless frame of mind.
I’m definitely still growing in God’s love and am working to discover His plan for my life. I feel shaken and downhearted when I read of so many disasters happening to so many people at once. Is God allowing another wake-up call? We can only turn to him in faith as we always do.
I believe much of this world is in trouble because of many personal choices made in selfishness, sometimes in fear, and in often refusing to listen to God and what he’s telling us. I believe he speaks to us all in that “still small voice” and we all choose how much to trust him. We often listen to our fears and forget to go to our Father when we’re afraid. One of my friends reminds me that we all need to “wake up”.
I believe God loves us very much because He is Love. He loves us in spite of ourselves and we must be like little children to him in our limited vision and understanding, but still He nurtures, teaches and comforts us. It feels amazing to know that I am loved by God and am being counted as one of His children. I can look to him as a true “Father” and know that He wants the best for me always even though I don’t always act the way He would like me to. Because He loves me and is my Father, I want to respond and show my love for him in return. I try to say “I love you” and “Thank you” to him often in prayer. I try to give my time, words and money in a thoughtful and valuable way. When troubles and worries start to get the better of me, I remember to pray and ask “God, please help me” and HE comforts me right away! When I ask Him for courage and strength, I start to feel it right away too. That is awesome! I know that HE is much stronger and more giving than I am, and He will ALWAYS be there for me and for everyone who finds their hope, faith and love through Him.
May God Richly Bless You Rich Stearns!
A friend in Christ Jesus,
-Jane