Why do bad things happen to godly people? And why do the wicked seem to receive the blessing of God?
I love that the book of Job seems to walk us through this process of questioning. It’s not that we truly end up with all wisdom and understanding. We don’t. My guess is that our finite understanding is unable to grasp God’s infinite and limitless plan. We simply cannot grasp (at least on this side of eternity) why God allows what he allows, does what he does, creates what he creates, destroys what he destroys – all of it. Our vision is limited. Our understanding too narrow. Our focus is too consumed with self.
However, I love the book of Job and am so grateful for it’s presence in the Bible. Why? Well, so many of us have suffered. We have lost possessions. We have lost health. We have lost loved ones. So many of us have been misunderstood and even had our character attacked by friends and even spouses. So many of us have wondered, why, LORD? Why are you allowing all this to happen, when you have the power to prevent it – or change the circumstances? We are left wondering if God really does care for us. At times, we like Job, find ourselves wishing that God would have never allowed us to be born – or if he would just allow us to die so that our pain would finally end.
The book of Job reminds us that good and bad things happen to those who are obedient and beloved of the LORD, as well as to those who do not choose him.
While I have read the book before, at this particular occasion I am only 15 chapters in. I cannot help but wonder if we – who may even find ourselves suffering now – wouldn’t benefit from Job’s example. In chapter 1, we learn that Job was the richest man in his area. He was well respected. Job was also a man who lived life with intentionality. He was obedient to God and would often offer sin offerings not only for himself, but for his family. In one day, we learn that in wave after wave of tragedy, Job is informed of his losses. Loss of property. Loss of livestock. Loss of all his children.
How would we handle that? Would we curse God? Would we abandon him? Would we act out in rage and sin? Job didn’t. Certainly overwhelmed, we read: “Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell on the ground to worship. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!” (Job 1: 20-21)
Do we praise God in the midst of life’s hurts and storms? Do we worship him regardless of the circumstances around him? This is likely a struggle for us. Should we? Yes. Why? God’s character has not changed even though our circumstances have. God will not abandon his people. God is still present, even in our pain. And “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” (Job 2:10)
Friend, we are so blessed to have Job’s story to learn from, but we have something that during Job’s time on earth, he did not yet have available to him. We have Jesus. Listen to this: “If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together.” “Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that on my own strength.” (Job 9:33, 35) If only… Friend, Job is speaking his desire for someone to mediate between himself and God. He is wishing that someone would plead his case. We have that mediator. His name is Jesus! 1 Timothy 2:5 tells us, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
Isn’t this great news? Isn’t this gift alone reason to praise God for his abundant blessings? We may have trials, pain, and loss, but we will not sit in it alone. Jesus will advocate before the Father on our behalf. Personally, I find incredible comfort in that truth. Someday the pain of this world will end for me, and I will be in heaven with no more tears, no pain, no loss, no heartache… but until that day comes – I know that my Jesus is representing me before the God of Creation.
Find your hope in this amazing gift we have been given. It is there.
Blessings.