Why do the Righteous Suffer?

Why do the Righteous Suffer?

Many people ask the question, why me? Why do bad things, happen to good people? We live in a fallen world, where two kingdoms are at war over the souls of men, the righteous are tried, through the hard knocks of life. We should never judge someone, because they are sick, or unemployed, or have experienced much loss in their life. I have known some Christians, as well as pastors, who believe that God is punishing those, who experience tragedy or loss. They are quick to reprove those, whom they are convinced are living in sin.

 Job is a good example of a righteous man, who was blameless before God, but was condemned, by his friends, because of his severe trials. Job lost seven sons and three daughters, as well as, all his servants, and livestock on the same day. It appeared to his friends that God was punishing Job, because of his sins. But, it was because of Job’s righteousness, that Satan accused him before God in heaven. Satan claimed that the only reason Job served God, was that God blessed and protected him. God allowed Satan to take everything away from Job with the exception of his life. Job naturally complained about the harsh trial that he was experiencing, but in the end, he remained faithful to the Lord. Because Job remained faithful to the Lord, God blessed Job with new sons and daughters, as well as more wealth than he had previously. Job was also, blessed to live one hundred forty years after his fiery trial.

 We are all tested and tried in many different ways; our hardships are normally not the result of wickedness. However, in some cases, sicknesses, as well as, tragedy, are the result of sin. Jesus told some of the people that he healed, to go and sin no more, so that nothing worse would overtake them. Habitual sins known as bondages, as well as un-forgiveness, will block people from being healed, or blessed. God’s Word teaches that if there are any sick among you, to have the elders anoint them with oil, and pray for their healing. James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. There are gifts of healings that God grants to many of his children. However, not everyone is healed, God grants healings, according to his will, and timing.     

 Jesus passed by a man who was blind from birth and his disciples asked him who sinned that this man was born blind. Jesus told them that no one sinned; he was born blind so that the works of God, should be revealed in him. This passage shows that sickness, or deformity, is not normally the result of personal sin, but is the result of living in a fallen world. John 9:1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. The prophet Elisha died from an illness when he was old, also Jacob’s wife Rachel died in childbirth, and their deaths were not the result of sin or punishment.               

1Peter 3:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,  8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,  9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

In the same way, that gold is purified in the fire, so our faith is also refined in the fiery trials of this life. The goal of these trials is that our lives may bring praise, honor, and glory, to our Lord when he returns. The trials of life may bring about bitterness or backslidings if we allow them to. We all have the choice to become hard or bitter, or to allow these trials to build character, as well as strengthen our faith. I am well acquainted with suffering. I have experienced the deaths of both of my parents, my brother (my only sibling), my nephew, as well as my wife of fourteen years. I was bitter toward God, for a period of time, and I had to learn to forgive him. When I forgave God, he granted me visions of the afterlife, as well as, explained things to me that brought me great comfort. The Lord has also blessed me with a wonderful new wife, and she is my perfect match. I have made the choice to reach out to others who are suffering the loss of loved ones, and use my pain, to help others get through their dark time. When you help others get through life’s hard times, the Lord will strengthen, as well as, bring healing to you.

 

Romans 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

2 Peter1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

 

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. 2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. 4 And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly. 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.

7 And the Lord said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the Lord and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" 9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" 12 And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. 13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house;

14 and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided them and took them away--indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"

20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.