Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

I am enjoying our Sunday evening Bible survey series. Last Sunday we completed our 16th study by highlighting the book of Job. Next up will be the Psalms - don't worry I don't plan to survey all 150 chapters in one message. 

The survey of Job reminded me of the strength and comfort we can receive from God's Word during the hardships and difficulties that come our way. 

Pastor John Piper has written a book entitled: "The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God." You will not go wrong in reading what he has written. Here is a quote from the book:

“The very thing the tilting ship needs in the storm is the ballast of God’s good sovereignty, not the unburdening of deep and precious truth. What makes the crush of calamity sufferable is not that God shares our shock, but that his bitter providences are laden with the bounty of love” (p. 9).

That is such a rich quote and worth dwelling on as we think about the hardships and challenges each of us face.

If you would like to read more about Job just click HERE and you will be taken to a page of five sermons on Job that Pastor Piper preached at Bethlehem Baptist Church. It will be a good investment of your time to read through these sermons. Especially if you find yourself in a season of suffering or hardship.

Here is one other resource I was not able to share with you on Sunday night. I came across this in the MacArthur Study Bible. It clearly addresses the "mystery of innocent suffering."

“The major reality of the book is the inscrutable mystery of innocent suffering. God ordains that his children walk in sorrow and pain, sometimes because of sin (cf. Num. 12:10–12), sometimes for chastening (cf. Heb. 12:5–12), sometimes for strengthening (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7–10; 1 Pet. 5:10), and sometimes to give opportunity to reveal his comfort and grace (2 Cor. 1:3–7). But there are times when the compelling issue in the suffering of the saints is unknowable because it is for a heavenly purpose that those on earth can’t discern (cf. Ex. 4:11; John 9:1–3).” (MacArthur Study Bible, electronic edition)

For His Glory,

Pastor Mike