Why Bad Things Happen

"One Year Bible" Old Testament Passage
Job 4:1-7:21

Behold, happy is the man who God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.  Job 5:17 (NKJV)

Why do back things happen to good people?  This is the age-old question asked by believers and skeptics alike.  Job is the biblical character who embodies the plight of those who seemingly suffer for no apparent reason.  These are, by most standards, good and moral people upon whom disaster descends.

The counselors of Job seek to find explanations for these sufferings.  In most cases, their wisdom and advice seems to only offend and frustrate Job further.  But amidst their words can be found glimpses of divine truth. 

Suffering is never without a purpose.  This may sound brutal in some people's ears.  The devastations and destruction witnessed today in Somalia and Sudan cannot really be a backdrop for blessing, can they?  Evil is alive and well on Planet Earth.  But, God has not determined at this time to remove sin and suffering from our world.  Instead, He seeks to redeem.  This is harder to perceive when we consider the big picture of international disaster (tsunami, plague, genocide), but on a personal level, we might see more clearly.

It has been said that God never wastes a hurt.  He does not always prevent sin, but He ALWAYS provides a solution to sin and suffering.  He is a redeemer.  Therefore, we should always seek to see our circumstances through the eyes of a providential God. 

God's corrections are a sign of His love, not of His hate.  He does not want us to be robots, so He allows us a degree of self-determination.  Then He is with us when the inevitable correction and chastening come our way.  Scripture says that when He does this, He deals with us as a father would with the son He loves.

So, don't wilt under the loving corrective hand of God.  He deals with us as with sons.