Why do bad things happen to good people?
Matthew 5:45
Why do bad things happen to good people? This question has puzzled humanity for ages. I mean, if God is so good why does He allow bad things to happen to people who don’t deserve it? While wicked, murderous people seem to get off scot-free and innocent people die. The truth is that I can’t answer why bad things happen to good people. I don’t think anyone can. But we can learn a valuable lesson from Job who suffered greatly even though he didn’t do anything wrong.
Job was a man from the early Old Testament times, who lived in the land of Uz. The Bible says that he was an upright man, a good man who feared God and eschewed evil (Job 1:1). But just as God has a plan for your life, the enemy also has a plan for your life. Satan doesn’t like to see people happy and content fearing the Lord. He doesn’t want to see us praising God and having an abundant life, therefore he throws darts our way to get us to forsake God. Satan went to God and complained that Job’s life was too good. He argued that Job was serving God only because things were good and that Job would forsake God when bad times came.
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Job 1:9-10
God permitted Satan to do what he wanted on the condition that Satan didn’t touch Job’s life. And so, Job lost everything: all his children, all his servants, all his livestock in one full scoop. Surely, something of that magnitude should’ve broken Job to the point of no return, yet Job worshipped God and never blamed God for what had happened. Instead, he proclaimed:
And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
Job 1:21
A Lesson from the Life of Job
It’s important to note that God granted permission to Satan. There is nothing that happens to you good or bad that God didn’t know of or allow. God may remove someone from your life or you may not get the job that you wanted. If it wasn’t supposed to happen, God wouldn’t have allowed it. He allows both the good and the bad to happen to everyone; Christian or not.
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:45
Related Post: Will God Ever Give Me More Than I Can Handle?
We live in a sinful world. The enemy is running rampant seeking whom he may devour, and even though it is not God’s original plan that we suffer, He allows tribulation, which helps us to grow and learn lessons (Romans 5:3-4).
The lesson we can learn from Job is that we shouldn’t give up on Jesus, even while we are suffering. God never left Job; He never forsakes His people. We ought to be obedient and thankful to God when the rain falls or when the sun shines. When there is pain and when there is happiness. We ought not to forget His promises to us. He will not allow anything to come upon you that you don’t have the willpower to recover.
When bad things happen to you and you turn to your Heavenly Father for help, just as Job did, God will be there for you and through the trial, your character will be moulded.
Prayer for Today:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I am thankful for the trials. I am thankful because they bring about patience. Give me the strength to trust you, even when things don’t go my way. Help me to remember that you still have my back.
Amen.
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