Why Do Bad Things Happen? - Part 2

We are continuing our theme today in regards to suffering, and more specifically, why God allows bad things to happen.

To Demonstrate His Grace

Second, God also allows bad things to happen to demonstrate His grace. A great example of this is found in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 when the Apostle Paul prayed three times that God would take away some type of illness that he called a “thorn in the flesh”. God’s response was simply, “No!” He told him, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” While Satan is the one who gave Paul the thorn in the flesh, God allowed it to happen in order to demonstrate the sufficiency of his grace. Paul eventually got to the place where he rejoiced more in the infirmity than in the healing because of the strength of God’s grace.

To Demonstrate His Works

Third, God allows bad things to happen to demonstrate His works. John 9:32-33 says, Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing. Here is a guy who was allowed to be born blind and live blind into adulthood merely for God’s glory. God demonstrated his ability to heal this blind man; something only God could do. This man had to wait a long time for God to reveal what He was doing, but was it ever worth the wait!

It also reminds me of the story of Lazarus. John 11:1-4 says, Now a certain [man] was sick, [named] Lazarus, of Bethany,…Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard [that], he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. God allowed Lazarus to die so that that He could resurrect him in front of many witnesses and receive the glory!

The conclusion is that God created us for a reason. Those who fail to grasp this fail. We were created for a reason and for a purpose. Isa 43:7  Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. 1 Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Once we realized why we are here…we glorify God and we enjoy God. That’s we those who have not come to this reality are miserable. Psa 86:12  I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

"We are cruel to ourselves. We try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and Who runs it. The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place, and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business, for those who do not know about God. Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you. In this way you can waste your life and lose your soul.” - J.I. Packer (Knowing God)