Why Do Bad Things Happen?
Posted: Wednesday, July 16, 2008
by Mark Parsec
Wordcasters
In the last few days there have been recurring themes that I've been hearing in the
conversations I've been having with people. Why do bad things happen? Why do Christians suffer? Where is God when I need Him? These are, indeed, legitimate questions which many of us have asked at different times in our lives.
There are certainly times when we cry out, "God, why is this happening?" or "God, where are you?" There are times when we feel abandoned by God, times when we feel that our prayers are not being answered and times when we feel as if we just can't go on one more day without some kind of miraculous intervention from the Divine.
This morning, while I was contemplating how to approach these subjects with a group of recovering alcoholics and addicts with whom I was holding a Bible study, a man said something that the Lord used to drive a very important lesson home to my heart. The man reminded us that the suffering Christ endured upon the cross was far worse than anything our contemporary society might comprehend. Even the movie, The Passion of the Christ, falls far short of realistically portraying the imagery of the wounds that our Savior bore when he was whipped and beaten. His flesh was ripped from his skin to the bone. He was slapped and punched and hit and spit upon. A crown of thorns was set upon His head. And all this, before He was even crucified.
While I was meditating upon the suffering of Jesus Christ I could not help but reflect upon the question of human suffering. I knew that Christ had died upon the cross to sacrifice His life to pay the penalty for our sins. I knew that He could have called down ten-thousand angels to stop the brutality of His afflictions. I knew He could have just whispered a word, or snapped His fingers and all of His suffering would be taken away. But, He didn't.
But still, I wondered, why so much suffering?
My mind was taken in a flash to Christ's temptation in the wilderness. Satan came against Jesus in the beginning of His ministry. The Old Worm wanted to foil the plans of God. The Devil wanted to attack Jesus when He was weak, and hungry and tired. And for what reason? For what purpose?
Matthew 4:8-9 makes Satan's plans very clear to us...
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."
The Devil wanted Jesus to bow down before him. But, the Old Worm's plans did not work. Jesus had a mission to fulfill. So, Jesus turned to Satan in verse 10 and said...
"Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"
It seems that the tactics of the Devil have not changed over time. He used the same tactics in the Garden of Eden when he deceived Eve with his enticement to disobey the instructions of God. Of course, Adam and Eve succumbed to the enemy. And he used the same tactics against Job when he slaughtered Job's children, destroyed their homes, and killed Job's livestock. But, what did Job do? In Job 1:21 his words are priceless...
And he said: " Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."
Job overcame the tactics of the Devil. He blessed the Lord in adversity. Didn't Jesus do the same?
Once again I reflected upon the scene of Christ upon the cross. Satan was there, you know, still trying to get Christ to bow down before him, just like he had tried to do when he tempted Christ in the wilderness. Still trying to get Jesus to curse God and die. Do you not remember how Jesus bore the weight of the cross upon his bleeding shoulders until it brought him to his knees? Do you not think that Satan was there, jeering, hoping upon hope that Christ would not stand back up... but bow in defeat before him?
That is why Christ suffered to the extent that He did. Satan was coming against Jesus with every intent to cause Him to stumble and fall, to give up, to forsake the fulfillment of His mission. But, Jesus endured.
Perhaps, when we find ourselves facing adversity, when we are suffering, and weak and tired... maybe then we should reflect upon what Christ endured. He didn't just endure the pain. He endured the attacks of Satan himself. And He did it for us.
Hang in there, my friend, if you are suffering... because it is then that you are under attack. Remember how Christ defeated the enemy. He endured. He fulfilled His mission. Hold on to the Word of God. Remember what Jesus said? "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world" (John 6:33). And let us claim our victory along with the Apostle Paul who said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phillipians 4:13)
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Hey Mark, very well laid out and very encouraging. We need the reminder of our Jesus defeated the enemy. If we want victory over our trials, we need to follow the footsteps of Jesus. Live by every word of God and rely on the strength we receive by the Holy Spirit. I'll be praying for your Bible Study, may they see and attain the freedom that comes from Christ.The question of why things happen to Christians, shouldn't even be one we ask. When did God ever say Christians would be ammuned to trouble, sickness and good old fashion trials? I understand new believers asking this questions, but seasoned Christians? I don't get it. Anyway, just a little ranting. It must be fatigue. But I know I have lots of people praying for us and things are coming together. We got a lot done today. Tell Michelle, I will write her back when I have time to sit and take my time. I don't want to rush. Thanks guys for all your service to the Lord and those who want to follow Him.Thanks you, Teresa. Yes, it seems that as we age some of the things that used to bother us don't bother us as much. Bless you always!
I have been guilty at times in the past to ask why and then catch myself. I know that Jesus defeated the enemy and paid a much higher price then I have ever had to pay. I am truly blessed even when I think I am not. Praise the Lord in all things. : )Yes, Anonymous, praise the Lord in all things.
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