Caleb Harrelson
[Originally published as the second part of Bullet Points on Scripture’s Teaching on Evil, Suffering and God’s Sovereignty]
Verses on God’s comfort during suffering and trials:
- “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Psalm 46:1–2
- “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:26–27
- “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
We must understand our present suffering in light of eternity:
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
Suffering reminds us to urgently live for God now and that we must be wise with the time that we have since we are not guaranteed tomorrow. (see Eph. 5:15–17; life is a mist James 4:14)
·”So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” 2 Corinthians 4:16–18
Is physical suffering or a natural disaster God’s direct judgement because someone sinned ?
The answer varies. Remember: All suffering in this world is, broadly speaking, a part of God’s judgement on the world since the Fall. Also, remember that part of that judgment is God withdrawing his sustaining and persevering hand on nature, viruses, etc.
Sometimes no, but our suffering can always be used for God’s glory:
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, “it was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:2–3
Our suffering can be used to comfort others 2 Corinthians 1:3–4:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.“
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
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We don’t know God’s reasons most of the time; however, it can certainly drive us towards repentance, depend on Lord more and build our character:
- Job didn’t suffer because of a certain sin and was not given a specific answer but told to trust in God and that his ways are higher. Read the whole book.
A word of caution: Sometimes yes, suffering can be brought about as a result of God’s judgment. However, this conclusion must be based on God’s Special Revelation from Scripture. However, since the canon of scripture is closed, I would caution against immediately saying that any type of suffering we are currently experience is directly God’s judgment on us. However, we can say that all suffering is, indirectly or broadly speaking, God’s judgment as a result of the fall of man and all of creation since Genesis 3.
Several examples of God punishing or disciplining people in Scripture…
- God punished the Israelites for speaking out “against God and against Moses” and sent fiery serpents to the people and many died. Numbers 21:4–6
- God has the ultimate authority to “wound” and “heal.” See Deuteronomy 32:39
- We may be suffering from the consequence of our sin: “You reap what you sow” Galatians 6:7–9
- We may be facing God’s discipline. See Hebrews 12:7–11
Even when you are not sure what the cause of your suffering is, you are still called to live a holy life that is pleasing to the Lord and flee from sin.
Jesus responded to a certain incident stating that it was NOT judgment for a specific action as if they were worse sinners that his questioners. Yet He focused on the urgency of repenting now:
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them. “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1–5
Consider these different Old Testament kings and their response to suffering:
- “in the thirty-night year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek Yahweh, but sought help from physicians.” 2 Chronicles 16:12 (note: seeking a physician is good, but “seeking the Lord” is the ultimate goal of suffering.
- “In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to Yahweh, and he answered him and gave him a sign.” 2 Chronicles 32:24
- Jehoshaphat responding to the news that a large army was coming against Judah and how he “was afraid and set his face to seek Yahweh….if disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgement, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you- for your name is in the house- and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save…we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:3–4,9,12
Will God really be just when it comes to heaven and hell & those that have not heard?
- “…shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just?” Genesis 18:23–25
- “What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy…..has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory” Romans 9:14-16, 21–23
- “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A Faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4
Biblical Truths that must be affirmed when looking at the issue of un-reached people groups:
- All people have sufficient knowledge of God (Rom 1:18–20; Ps 19:1–2)- Through nature and his law is written on their heart/conscience (Rom 2:14–16)
- All people reject knowledge of God (Rom. 1:21–25)
- All people are guilty before God- there is NO innocent person (Rom 3:9–18)
- All people are condemned for rejecting God and his law (Romans 3:19–20)
- God HAS made a way of salvation for the Lost (Rom 3:21–26)
- People cannot come to God APART from faith in Christ (Rom 3:27–31)
- Christ Commands the church to make the gospel known to all peoples (Rom 10:9–15)
- God’s elect are in every people group (Rom 9; Eph 1:5; Matt 24:1
