Why doesn’t God do something about all the suffering in the world? Why do evil people prosper while good people struggle in pain and poverty? These and similar questions attack the faith of all sensitive believers. Children die in agony and we cry, “Where is God?” and faith is weakened. The universe expands onward as we revolve around an insignificant star in one small galaxy among thousands and wonder, “Does the God who made all this even know I exist? How can he care about me, one of billions of people?”
The Bible never explains the problem of suffering, but it answers all these doubts in one name, Jesus. How much does God care? He sent his own Son. And the nature of that care was demonstrated repeatedly by “God in the flesh” as 11 times his biographers record that he had compassion on multitudes (Matt 15:32), on the father of a demon-possessed boy (Mark 9:22), on the widow whose son had died (Luke 7:13), on an untouchable leper whom he healed with a touch (Mark 1:41).
Further, the care shown by the one who said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9), was individual and personal, caring. Though he preached to crowds, Jesus is best remembered for his one on one ministry. He spoke to the woman who came to the well alone because she was ostracized (John 4); He healed a lame man, (John 5) and a blind man (John 9); He wept with the mourners (John 11:35); loved a rich ruler who left him (Mark 10) and many more. And, ultimately, he died knowing that few would be saved. He suffered the cross in a way that was personally aimed at those who choose to hear and obey, that these few, as he did, may conquer suffering and Death.
Life is not fair and asking, “Why?” may be the wrong approach. God never answers why there is suffering in the world. He does not intervene to end all sickness and injustice. He just wraps us up in the arms of His love that sent his only begotten Son. Jesus demonstrates absolutely that the God of this awesome universe cares, and that he cares more than any man ever cared, and that HE cares about you personally.
The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. 2 Tim 2:19
Keith Ward
The Bible never explains the problem of suffering, but it answers all these doubts in one name, Jesus. How much does God care? He sent his own Son. And the nature of that care was demonstrated repeatedly by “God in the flesh” as 11 times his biographers record that he had compassion on multitudes (Matt 15:32), on the father of a demon-possessed boy (Mark 9:22), on the widow whose son had died (Luke 7:13), on an untouchable leper whom he healed with a touch (Mark 1:41).
Further, the care shown by the one who said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9), was individual and personal, caring. Though he preached to crowds, Jesus is best remembered for his one on one ministry. He spoke to the woman who came to the well alone because she was ostracized (John 4); He healed a lame man, (John 5) and a blind man (John 9); He wept with the mourners (John 11:35); loved a rich ruler who left him (Mark 10) and many more. And, ultimately, he died knowing that few would be saved. He suffered the cross in a way that was personally aimed at those who choose to hear and obey, that these few, as he did, may conquer suffering and Death.
Life is not fair and asking, “Why?” may be the wrong approach. God never answers why there is suffering in the world. He does not intervene to end all sickness and injustice. He just wraps us up in the arms of His love that sent his only begotten Son. Jesus demonstrates absolutely that the God of this awesome universe cares, and that he cares more than any man ever cared, and that HE cares about you personally.
The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. 2 Tim 2:19
Keith Ward
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