WHY DIDN’T GOD STOP IT?
Dr. Dixie, you talk a lot about God’s unending, infinite love. But when I hear about the floods, fires, shootings and other craziness in our country, and the fear and grief people are experiencing, surely I’m not alone wondering, “Why would God allow this?” You teach that God’s gifts are always good. Okay, even if He doesn’t cause storms, why would He allow these tragedies? I am wondering about God’s goodness.
It’s a good question; often asked after personal and public tragedy. Confusion arises from quoting a statement Job made when struggling with appalling tragedy: in one day, his livestock was stolen, servants killed; and all ten adult children, perhaps with their families, died when a tornado destroyed the house where they had gathered. Soon after, his physical health collapsed. Job 1:20-22 (HCSB): Then Job…tore his robe and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave…The Lord gives; the Lord takes away…” We’ve all heard various versions of Job’s statement. Frequently, when people aren’t sure what to say, they quote something that certainly is recorded in Scripture; but is recorded as a factual event or a statement made by someone, not as an eternal truth and not applicable to all life situations.
Comfort is the intent, but because this statement, made out of Job’s overwhelming grief and confusion, implies “God kills and destroys”, it prompts despair instead. If God really is responsible for tragedy, whom canwetrust? IfGodgives,butthentakesbackHis gifts, He is indecisive and stingy.
Job correctly chose to praise God no matter what, but apparently believed God was the immediate cause of tragedy since He didn’t stop it: a common present- day misunderstanding. We say, “God can do anything. He could stop it if He wanted to…” To know accurately if God is the cause of tragedy, or is truly unchangeably faithful and good, we must study the life of Jesus Who said, “When you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father…I and the Father are one”. Too often we study Job’s words, even though he acknowledged he had only heard of God, but didn’t actually know Him. He said, “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand…” (Job 42:3, 5).
Jesus is “the sole expression of God’s glory…the perfect image of God’s nature, maintaining, and guiding… the universe by His mighty word of power.” (Hebrews 1:3) Jesus reveals God, the extraordinary Giver, WhonevertakesbackHisgifts. (Romans11:29 Amplified) “God’s gifts and call are irrevocable. He never withdraws them once they’re given, and does not change His mind about those to whom He sends His call.”
The sin of Adam terribly corrupted God’s perfectly designed universe, including its weather. Tornados, ice storms, floods and drought are produced by sin-damage in weather systems, not by God. God is completing His plan to eradicate sin and its effects. Meanwhile, God promises He will always bring benefi t out of every circumstance, for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Jesus came to: be our Friend and take away the sin of the world (John 15:15; 1:29) destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) carry our worry and anxiety (1 Peter 5:7).
He is the exact reflection of God, who is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). God, loving us perfectly and giving us life, does not kill, steal and destroy. Rather, it is satan, humankind’s bitterest enemy who is the murderer, destroyer and originator of all deception. (John 8:44).
Infinite Grace Ministries offers Biblical Guidance for restoration of relationships and the grief and anxiety that follow tragedy. Call 580-774-2884 for more informationor scheduleyourpersonalappointment today!
Dixie Yoder
