Why do bad things happen to good people?

Ah… the age old question to which we’ll probably never fully grasp the answer this side of heaven. However, all throughout scripture, God unveils His nature which reflects His intent for our lives. And here’s the bottom line: His will towards us is ALWAYS good!

Let’s consider Job.

Job was a very prosperous, respected man who feared God and shunned evil. But then Satan comes along and strips Job of his wealth, his health, and his family. Note, these are the tactics of the enemy. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy and he used every weapon in his arsenal to try to bring Job down and cause him to curse God.

Did it work? No, it didn’t. Job 2:10 says, “Job did not sin with his lips.” You see, Job recognized the enemy at work. Even though Job cried out in despair and cursed the day he was born, he did not curse God. Instead, Job’s submission to God’s sovereignty allowed him to be found faithful throughout the test. And later in scriptures, James 5:11, Job is praised for his patience and endurance.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. –James 1:2-3

“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” — James 5:11

There are times when we need the refiner’s fire. Sure it hurts, but it’s the fire that burns away the chaff of our iniquities. How else can we be found faithful but through testing? The trials in life reveal our need of a Savior. They bring us to the place where Jesus is our only source; where He becomes our all in all.

Even though there is suffering, testing, and persecutions, God’s will towards us is always good. Jack Hayford puts it beautifully saying, “Some things about human suffering God cannot possibly explain to us at the time without destroying the very purpose they were designed to fulfill.”

Therefore, what the enemy means for evil, God purposes for good. Job’s afflictions brought him to the end of his own self-righteousness, self-vindication, and self-wisdom. Not only that, but God also restored the fortunes of Job and He increased all that Job had twofold! [Job 42:10] God gave him double for his trouble!

That’s our God! He brings redemption and restoration to us through the blood of Jesus Christ! Not only does He restore everything back that was lost or stolen, but His restoration brings unmerited increase! Hallelujah!!!

Take note here… Jesus brings freedom and restoration to both the prisoners and the captives. [Isaiah 61:1] A prisoner is bound because of something they did wrong, but a captive is bound because of something evil done to them. Yet, God’s grace doesn’t distinguish between the two. You may have put yourself in bondage or brought the yoke of suffering upon yourself (i.e., a bad business deal, abusing drugs, unforgiveness). He doesn’t care. It doesn’t matter how you got into bondage. The blood of Jesus frees and restores both the prisoner and the captive!!!

“As for you also, because of the blood of MY covenant with you, I have set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to the stronghold, O prisoners who have the hope; this very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.” –Zechariah 9:11-12

“Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, everlasting joy will be theirs. For I, the Lord, love justice… And I will faithfully give them their recompense.” –Isaiah 61:7

The word ‘recompense’ means reward and it’s where we get the terminology ‘worker’s compensation’. God tells us that as a child of God, if we get hurt on the job, He will faithfully give us our recompense. Our reward from Him is exceedingly great and everlasting!

In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” Not only does Jesus sustain us through our sufferings and afflictions, but He redeems, rebuilds, restores, repairs, recompenses, and revives!!! He is a God of SECOND CHANCES and DOUBLE PORTIONS! All we must do is submit to His sovereignty and endure until the end.

Hang on… hold tight… He’s got you and He will never let you go! And when you find your footing again, you will find yourself in a new level of glory! From glory to glory! Unmerited increase!

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Thank you for reading Psalms of Mine. It was nearly one year ago that God told me to start blogging and He would give me a sphere of influence to speak life into. Since then my posts have reached people and countries unimaginable. If you have been blessed by this blog, please share with your own sphere of influence. It is my prayer that people will discover the depths of Jesus’ love for them and find freedom in the truths of His Word! Be blessed!