Many who suffer sudden loss [physical or material] beg the answer to: "Why God?" Emotions start like a rollercoaster ride which one did not volunteer to get on. Adding misery to pain, one begins to feel guilt for questioning God. Let me say this before continuing: No father is angry with his child whom genuinely seeks understanding so long as the child is not challenging the father's authority or integrity; God is no exception.
Writing by the inspiration of God, James writes that we are actually encouraged to seek understanding from God in faith{see James1:5-7}. David often asked God, "Where are you..."{i.e. Ps10:1/Ps22}. Jeremiah also sought to understand God whereby asking, "Why do you let things happen this way..."{Jer12:1}. So, we do not sin in seeking understanding from God; it is only sinful to ask in such a way as to challenge His sovereignty or doubt His integrity.
We have two promises in Scripture which; although do not answer "why;" these two promises can set our minds at rest through faith. We are told that "God is love"{1John4:8}. The first promise is that since God is the epitome of love; thus His actions [or what He allows]; although not always understood; are *always* motivated by love. The second promise comes from Romans8:28. By these two promises we know through faith that whatsoever God does [or allows] is out of love to bring about a greater good.
Now, that said, I would like to share this parable. I heard it long ago so I might not get every detail correct but the gist should be easily understood:
Elijah was entering a town crossing over the bridge which led to it. On the bridge, a young lad of about sixteen years of age was fishing and greeted Elijah, "Shalom, Jehovah is God." Elijah smiled and replied, "Amen, Shalom." After crossing the bridge, a man recognized Elijah and approached him seeking to be his apprentice while Elijah was in town. Elijah agreed but warned the man that the things he was about to witness would greatly trouble him. Without reluctance, the man set his chin as a flint and followed Elijah.
In the city, as Elijah and his new apprentice walked pass a bar, news was spreading quickly that the town beggar had just inherited a large sum of money. Elijah saw the beggar a ways off and stepped into a near-by alley. The beggar ignored the pleas of his former fellow beggars as he made his way to the bar to celebrate -he'd never drank before. As the beggar passed the alley which Elijah had stepped into, Elijah grabbed the beggar and knocked him out taking all the money. This indeed troubled the apprentice but he dare not seem to question his master's integrity. -But what happened next was even more astounding... Elijah gave the money to the most well-off man in town. As the apprentice crossed the bridge with Elijah as he departed the city, what happened here -the apprentice will never forget. Elijah took the lad whom was fishing up by the trousers and tossed him over the bridge to his death. The apprentice could no longer contain himself, "I cannot follow a God who would tell you to do such things!" Elijah smiled lovingly and replied, "Allow me to explain."
"The beggar was going to the bar where he was going to get drunk and be robbed. Returning home drunk and angry he was going to beat his wife. She just found out that she was pregnant; but before she could tell her husband the good news his abuse causes her to miscarriage. That child will now live and bring many to God.
"The well-off man will two weeks from now give all the money that I gave to him to a man so that he can start an orphanage. This orphanage will result in the making of many missionaries who will bring many to God."
"The young lad is a tragic story. He is a lover of God but he gets mixed up with the wrong kids. He ends up helping this band of hoodlums attack and rob the well-off man of his money before the well-off man meets the man starting the orphanage. In the commotion, the lad is killed -dying in his sin. I have secured the lad's place in heaven and the salvation of many others."
With that, Elijah said, "Shalom, Jehovah is God" and departed. The apprentice was left speechless and ashamed.
We may not always know God's reasons; but we know God -He is love. We can trust that whatsover God does or allows is motivated by love and for the greater good.
In closing, we are also promised in 2Cor1:3,4 that God *will* comfort us... and in doing so we will be able to comfort others whom may be similarly suffering. Rest assured, you who are suffering; your testimony may be the lifeline for others whom you share your testimony with.
Shalom, Jehovah is God -and He loves you dearly.
Writing by the inspiration of God, James writes that we are actually encouraged to seek understanding from God in faith{see James1:5-7}. David often asked God, "Where are you..."{i.e. Ps10:1/Ps22}. Jeremiah also sought to understand God whereby asking, "Why do you let things happen this way..."{Jer12:1}. So, we do not sin in seeking understanding from God; it is only sinful to ask in such a way as to challenge His sovereignty or doubt His integrity.
We have two promises in Scripture which; although do not answer "why;" these two promises can set our minds at rest through faith. We are told that "God is love"{1John4:8}. The first promise is that since God is the epitome of love; thus His actions [or what He allows]; although not always understood; are *always* motivated by love. The second promise comes from Romans8:28. By these two promises we know through faith that whatsoever God does [or allows] is out of love to bring about a greater good.
Now, that said, I would like to share this parable. I heard it long ago so I might not get every detail correct but the gist should be easily understood:
Elijah was entering a town crossing over the bridge which led to it. On the bridge, a young lad of about sixteen years of age was fishing and greeted Elijah, "Shalom, Jehovah is God." Elijah smiled and replied, "Amen, Shalom." After crossing the bridge, a man recognized Elijah and approached him seeking to be his apprentice while Elijah was in town. Elijah agreed but warned the man that the things he was about to witness would greatly trouble him. Without reluctance, the man set his chin as a flint and followed Elijah.
In the city, as Elijah and his new apprentice walked pass a bar, news was spreading quickly that the town beggar had just inherited a large sum of money. Elijah saw the beggar a ways off and stepped into a near-by alley. The beggar ignored the pleas of his former fellow beggars as he made his way to the bar to celebrate -he'd never drank before. As the beggar passed the alley which Elijah had stepped into, Elijah grabbed the beggar and knocked him out taking all the money. This indeed troubled the apprentice but he dare not seem to question his master's integrity. -But what happened next was even more astounding... Elijah gave the money to the most well-off man in town. As the apprentice crossed the bridge with Elijah as he departed the city, what happened here -the apprentice will never forget. Elijah took the lad whom was fishing up by the trousers and tossed him over the bridge to his death. The apprentice could no longer contain himself, "I cannot follow a God who would tell you to do such things!" Elijah smiled lovingly and replied, "Allow me to explain."
"The beggar was going to the bar where he was going to get drunk and be robbed. Returning home drunk and angry he was going to beat his wife. She just found out that she was pregnant; but before she could tell her husband the good news his abuse causes her to miscarriage. That child will now live and bring many to God.
"The well-off man will two weeks from now give all the money that I gave to him to a man so that he can start an orphanage. This orphanage will result in the making of many missionaries who will bring many to God."
"The young lad is a tragic story. He is a lover of God but he gets mixed up with the wrong kids. He ends up helping this band of hoodlums attack and rob the well-off man of his money before the well-off man meets the man starting the orphanage. In the commotion, the lad is killed -dying in his sin. I have secured the lad's place in heaven and the salvation of many others."
With that, Elijah said, "Shalom, Jehovah is God" and departed. The apprentice was left speechless and ashamed.
We may not always know God's reasons; but we know God -He is love. We can trust that whatsover God does or allows is motivated by love and for the greater good.
In closing, we are also promised in 2Cor1:3,4 that God *will* comfort us... and in doing so we will be able to comfort others whom may be similarly suffering. Rest assured, you who are suffering; your testimony may be the lifeline for others whom you share your testimony with.
Shalom, Jehovah is God -and He loves you dearly.
