Questioning God’s existence

 
It’s easy to do when you look at the evil that is in this world…If God is so ‘good’, why does he let ‘bad’ things happen?  …Good question…  If there is no God, how do you know what’s ‘good’ and what’s ‘bad’?  …Better question…

So assuming you’re willing to admit you believe in God, (I assume if you're reading this, you do) let’s admit that this world doesn’t deserve all ‘good’, and “we” don’t deserve to always be happy.  Admit it- I bet you can name something you did today that you shouldn’t have, and could cause an unfavorable repercussion.  And each little bad decision leads to another bad decision, and so forth.  They pile on top of each other, getting higher and higher, until they finally topple over and cause that large repercussion that shocks and shatters your ‘world’ as you know it.  I know I’ve made more than my fair share of bad decisions.  Think about it- it all started with a bite of an apple… I mean, who would have seen the damage that would cause?  The only ‘person’ that sees it all: God. 

So, do you think that, maybe, just maybe, He sees things in a different way than we do?  Psalm 147:5 (ESV) “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.”  1 John 3:19–20 (ESV) 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before Him; 20for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything.”  God is not locked in time like we are.  Don’t lock Him in that box.  God is eternal, infinite, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.

We’ll never fully understand the “why’s” of the evil around us; but we can trust He does.  Job 13:15 (ESV) “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.”  Remember Job?  Wow- can you imagine?  His life was everything he could have ever asked for; and it was suddenly taken away from Him (his children, his wife, his possessions, his health…).  Naturally he questioned God; he was angry; hurt; bewildered… but he NEVER lost faith in the Lord.  Job 1:21 (ESV) “The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”  Shouldn’t we all react like Job?  Just because we don’t understand doesn’t mean we should use it as an excuse for our lack of trust and faith.  God is in control.

‘Bad’ things don’t mean that God is “indifferent, uncaring, unjust or powerless to protect us.  Bad things happen because we live in a fallen world, where both believers and unbelievers are hit with the tragic consequences of sin.  God allows evil for a time although He turns it around for our good.  (Romans 8:28 (NLT) 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.)  We may have no answers as to why God allows evil, but we can be sure He is all-powerful and knows what He is doing.” (Tyndale Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation; footnote Job 42:17

So now, taking into account the ‘bad’ things in this world; how much worse would they be without Jesus?  Imagine when you are lost; distraught; grieving- where would you be; what would you have; without Him?  He is there with us through the pain.  Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)  “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”  

God loves us.  (John 3:16; Romans 5:8) We can’t, at least I can’t, truly comprehend the Love He had for you and me, to do this.  Christ gave His Life, for the ‘foul and abusive language’ I spew; for the lies I’ve told; for the anger and bitterness and pride I hold in my heart; for every bad decision I have made, and sadly, will continue to make.  How?  Why? 

So, maybe we shouldn’t constantly question why He lets ‘bad’ things happen.  Maybe we should praise Him for the ‘good’ He does allow.  We deserve all the evil that comes down to us.  We deserve, every one of us, to be condemned to Hell.  Romans 3:10-18 (NLT) 10 As the Scriptures say, No one is righteous— not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one. 13 Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies. Snake venom drips from their lips 14 Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.15 They rush to commit murder. 16 Destruction and misery always follow them. 17 They don’t know where to find peace.18 They have no fear of God at all.” But because He loves us, and we are given His grace and mercy; we are spared.

Thank God He doesn’t give us what we deserve.  Thank God He forgives.  Thank God He IS!  Question Him no more.  Thank Him; trust Him; Love Him. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” John 16:33 (NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

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