Bishop Gerald and Rich Schroeder just returned from their trip to see the 90+ orphans that we sponsor. Pastor Thompson, the overseer there, sent us a note after they returned:
"After you left India I have been to some of the flood-affected areas and the condition of the people is so sorrowful. People have lost their homes and family members. The crops were completely damaged and it seems the drought will put the rest in great trouble. At present, the cost of living on every thing has gone higher, the condition of living to many becoming hard. Please continue to pray for all of us . I really appreciate your visit while you were here with us. All our orphan children felt great in your presence and enjoyed having you here with us..."
Why do people suffer even when doing good? Our study in 1 Peter on Wednesdays makes it very clear that Christians will experience suffering, persecution, trouble, hardship. The Christians that Peter was writing to were suffering persecution for their faith. In a similar way, not all sickness is healed. Not every child of God is delivered from tragedy, persecution and suffering. And Christians still die of natural causes.
The reason for suffering? Here are three:
- This is a broken world because of sin. The evil prince still has some jurisdiction over this planet because Adam relinquished his rightful place as prince. Because of Adam’s sin, nature itself was corrupted. Death became a reality. This is the result of the curse. (Romans 8:22; Gen. 2.17, 3:17)
- We make bad choices. People don’t make healthy choices regarding their bodies, their finances, their marriage, their employment, careers and education. As a result, there are bad outcomes. (Gal. 6:7,8)
- We don’t pray. We don’t ask for God’s intervention. (James 4:2; Ezek. 22:30)
Therefore, when we look at the promises of God as in Psalm 91, we must claim these in the light of God’s sovereignty. We ask for healing. We ask for an end to suffering. But if we still suffer then we endure it with joy knowing that God has not abandoned us. If in His divine providence, God thinks it is best for the apostle Paul and the apostle Peter, to lose their lives for the gospel, then we continue to glorify God believing that He is still just and righteous in all His ways. It is right to ask for “divine protection.” It is right to pray, “Deliver us from evil” and “Don’t put us to the test” (Matt. 6:13 BBE). But does God sometimes STILL allow us to experience suffering and testing? Yes! Does God still allow us to go through temptation? YES!
- Sometimes for our refining (Psalm 66:10)
- Sometimes for a witness to others that as we suffer we still honor God (1 Peter 3:14-18)
- Sometimes for reasons known only to God (2 Cor. 12:9)
The bottom line? We should still pray. We should still give thanks in all things. We should still believe that God is good, even though life is hard...sometimes.
