As a pastor's wife I've heard this question many times. As a person I've asked this question many times.
It's a simple question but it has a complicated answer. "Sin" is the short version as is exhibited when it follows the direct path from Point A to Point B. "Well, he had been drinking before getting into his car so it's really no surprise that he crashed and ended up in this hospital."
But sin is also the long answer as is shown when it follows a meandering route from Adam to us. Our tracking skills are not so exemplar when the questioning person is a grieving mommy that just buried her newborn child.
If any adult life exhibited the meandering road it was Job's. He was a sinner but there was no evidence of a Point A to Point B situation at his time of suffering so he asked the question.
And God never gave him the answer. But that's okay because God didn't owe Job - nor does He owe anyone else - a detailed answer.
And yet, God gave us the answer to Job's question. He wrote the Book so that you might have it when confronted with griefs that cause you to question.
Satan's accusation was the cause of Job's trials and is often the cause of yours. The Apostle Paul explained it in the New Testament.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.As frightening as this sounds, it is wonderful to know that God is not the source of our problems. Our battle is with the powers of wickedness that demand to be allowed to test us.
Eph 6:12 (KJV)
Elsewhere Paul makes it clear that God will only allow this testing to go so far. He always knows where to set the boundaries.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Cor 10:13 (KJV)
God knew how Job was going to respond before He permitted Satan to begin testing him. God knew that Job would not sinfully accuse Him of evil. God knows just how far to allow Satan to go when testing you, too, and He knows what you're capable of withstanding.
We're at the start of a New Year when we wish each other a "happy" one knowing that it is certain to hold it's share of "Why?" moments. When the trials come do not foolishly accuse God but gratefully thank Him for the limits He set on them. Like Job, keep your integrity because you know that God promised to provide the means of escape!
These past few months words from Job have come to mind again and again, "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" Ultimately God is in charge! What a comfort to know that He will never leave us or forsake us - as we go through the valleys - where growth happens!
ReplyDeleteJust an aside. In our long-term care centre we have a resident whose every day is filled with the phrase, "Why me?" She is a believer who has had a full and busy life, beautiful godly children and grands who are very supportive, but still she moans all day long to herself, "Why me?", hanging her head. She does not converse on any other level - communication is next to impossible. We cannot help her to share more of her need so that we could get at the root of this moaning. One of our saddest folks! May God have mercy and be her comfort.