Many of those who have had a relationship with the living God have asked, often in desperation, why is this happening to me, or why is that happening to them? These questions have been asked countless times over the centuries and many are recorded for us in God’s Word where even great men and women of God were asking them. If God is so loving, so compassionate, so caring of our every need, why is this happening? The Bible says that he is a compassionate and gracious God (Exodus 34:6 {God’s own words}) and that his character is exemplified by love (1 John 4:16b). Really?
You will remember the story of God sending Moses to confront Pharaoh to set his people free. Pharaoh’s response is to make the Hebrews work even harder. Moses did not like God’s methods. He protested that God was not rescuing his people. Moses complains to God: “Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, LORD? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them (Exodus 5:22-23). Remember the devastating losses Job experienced? He asked, ‘Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?’ (Job 7:21). The Psalmist cried, ‘Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1). Jeremiah the prophet also had some strong words for God: ‘Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails.’ (Jer. 15:18).
However, the greatest cry ‘Why?’ came from Jesus himself on the cross, quoting from Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). God turned his face away because he could not look upon the sin – our sin – which was laid upon Jesus. ‘Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.’ (Isaiah 53:4-6). As Tim Keller notes, ‘He takes the punishment upon himself so that someday he can return and end all evil without having to condemn and punish us’. [Note 1]
Life can be hard, brutish and seems too short, and those who believe that all should be smooth and without trouble are easily confused and disillusioned when things go wrong. or the nasty unexpected occurs. But this ‘cannot be because God does not love us. It cannot be because God does not care. He is so committed to our ultimate happiness that he was willing to plunge to the greatest depths of suffering himself. He understands us, he has been there and he assures us that he has a plan to eventually wipe away every tear. Someone might say, “Yes, but that’s only half an answer to the question ‘Why?’ “Yes, but it’s the half we need’ [Note 2].
Commenting on the crisis Moses experienced (above), ‘The One Year Through the Bible’ comments, ‘Here we see the grand effects of feeble steps of faith (a tough lesson for anyone to learn). Moses expected faster results and fewer problems. When God is at work,suffering, setbacks, and hardship may still occur. We can be sure, however, that each hardship has a purpose – to teach, discipline, punish, or accomplish another work of God. In James 1:2-4, we are encouraged to be joyful when difficulties come our way. Problems teach us to (1) trust God to do what is best for us; (2) look for ways to honour God in our present situation; (3) remember that God will not abandon us; and (4) watch for God’s plan for us.’
– Ivan.
Notes:
1 Timothy Keller, 2013. Walking with God through pain and suffering. Hodder. Page 120.
2 Ibid. Page 121.
