Why Do Bad Things Happen?

Alex Hardt   October 30, 2022   Why? God…Do You Let Bad Things Happen

Pastor Alex approached this heady question by looking to the books of Wisdom in the Bible.  He took us to Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job.  Each book had a different perspective on this question.  All agreed that God is Wise, Sovereign and Just and we can rely upon His character. 

Proverbs leads us to see that God is Wise and His wisdom can be relied upon in all situations.  God’s wisdom is given by God and can augment what we learn in and through life.  His wisdom shows us how to apply it to our lives.  I love James 1:5 as it assures me that God’s wisdom is accessible.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”  How can God’s wisdom help me when I am questioning why things are happening?  God’s wisdom will point you to Him and His character.  God is good, trustworthy, compassionate and faithful.  He will do as he says and will take care of you, no matter the circumstances. He has your back! 

Through Ecclesiastes Alex pointed us to the fact Solomon discovered, that all life is meaningless without God.  In God we can find joy and peace, hope and direction.  The book concludes with verses 12:13-14 
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil.    

Solomon concluded that God is in control of all things so we need to focus on following Him for our good and His glory.  All will be revealed in time so leave the worry to God and focus on living for Him.   I love Philippians 4:6-7  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul councils us to stop worrying- God has this!  Pray and receive His peace for living.

Lastly, Alex looked to the book of Job.  Many hard things happened to Job as he was tested by Satan. Job would not give up his faith in the justice and righteousness of God. He would not give in to the pressures of his friends to curse God and die.  He clung to God in faith, but did question God personally.  I love this about Job.  Job had questions and went to God.  God answered in the storm and laid out His power and might for Job to see. Job realized the right answer and his relationship to the God of the universe, in

Job 42:1-3 Then Job replied to the Lord:                                               
2 “I know that you can do all things;
    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me to know.        

Job caught a glimpse of God and realized that God is beyond total understanding with our finite minds. God is incomprehensible.   We can know God but cannot totally understand all His ways.  Isaiah 55:8   “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.”     I love the assurance about God we get from 2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 

We have the power of Christ within us to help us understand the things that are happening around us. Praise God for His mercy and grace to us in Christ Jesus!

I would like to add to this subject by turning our focus to our memory verses for this week.  They add a different perspective that we also need to remember when questioning why things happen. 

Ephesians 6:12-13 “ For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”  

If we lived in a world without sin, all would be in harmony and working to glorify God.  However, we do not.  Jesus calls us to cling to Him and stand for Him.  We are not to dwell on things we do not understand or doubt the circumstances of the world or rail against them, but to put on His armor so we can stand for Him in the midst of all things.  He wants us clothed in the belt of Truth, the breastplate of His Righteousness, feet fitted with the shoes of the gospel, taking in hand the shield of faith and putting on the helmet of salvation.  Along with these defensive weapons we care to take the Sword of God- His Word and Prayer which are our offensive weapons.  Dressed each day for His battle, we can rely upon His eternally good character to sustain us in all things.
 
Lots of things to meditate upon this week as we consider God’s answer to why?  Trust in me as I am wise, sovereign and just in all ways.  You may not comprehend my ways but walk in trust clothed in your battle armor so you can stand firmly for me!
 
Linda

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Why? God... | Do You Let Bad Things Happen?
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Sermon series, "Why? God...." Today Alex Hardt teaches from Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job

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