Accept God's Purposes

Nothing that happens in your life is out of God’s control. Do you believe that? If that’s the case, why do bad things happen to people trying to live for the Lord? Everyone has probably asked that question when faced squarely with a tragedy. That question comes in so many forms. Why would God create a person, and then allow them to go through unbearable suffering?

Job, who suffered as much as anyone, tried not to ask those questions, but those around him did, forcing him to engage in speculation. Was Job depressed? Yes, he was. But we know that God was near and was in control, and He was not impressed with Job’s friends’ theories.

The bottom line is, God has His reasons. We don’t understand, but He is sovereign.

In the end, after God finally spoke to Job, Job answered the LORD, and said,  I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.  Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. …I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.  Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:1-6)

After the awesome God spoke to him, Job must have realized that he was merely a dot on a map and calendar. Who was he to question and figure out the God who transcends time and space?

Then, God had some words for Job’s friends, who supposed they had divine insight into why all the bad things had happened to him.

The LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. (Job 42:7)

What was the right thing Job had spoken? Paraphrased, he said “God, you can do whatever you want, and no one can stop you. I talked about things I didn’t understand. I see you now, and I am despicable in comparison. I repent.”

You can’t know why tragedy and suffering happens. Try not to theorize on the human plane when you find yourself having to muddle through disaster and heartbreak.

Instead, hang on to God, who uses people and circumstances to accomplish His bigger, unknown-to-us eternal plans.

To remain sober minded, think on these verses:

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Col. 1:16-17)

The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. (Prov. 16:4)

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Rom. 11:36)