August 11, 2022 – Click here to listen
A friend of mine recently tried to convince a farm worker from South Africa and here on a work visa who was dining in his restaurant to follow Christ. He would have none of it and said that God took his wife and young 3 month old child in a car accident and he wanted nothing to do with Him. Contrast that with my neighbor’s family who are so sad about their young 20 year old student who was pursuing his dream of becoming a surgeon who flipped his ATV and broke his back and may never walk again. His family told me that everything happens for a reason and though they had no idea of what it was, they knew God’s ultimate purpose for not stopping this tragic accident was a good one. Wow, they adhere to the principle of walking by faith, not by sight. Bravo!
My buddy told the farm worker that God didn’t kill his son, that Satan did. God created us and put us in a perfect envoirnment in an idyllic Garden and there was no death. Satan brought sin into play, our ancestors participated in sin and it brought death to all humanity through along with it. If the worker wanted to vent his anger, he should do so at Satan and not God. Of course this fellow came back with the old line that if God had wanted to stop it, He could have easily done so. It seemed to make my buddy stop in his tracks, but I advised him to follow up with the guy and tell him just how much God loves him and all of humanity.
It turns out that on the night of the accident the South African man was out on the town drinking and his wife went looking for him. She and their baby were killed instantly in a car accident while trying to find him. He didn’t obsess over his actions being the root cause of the accident; though obviously if he had been home, his wife would not have been out looking for him at various bars through the night. While no one can know the mind of God, this could have been a direct consequence of the farm worker’s sin.
The college kid is a different story. He and his friends were horsing around popping wheelies and doing figure 8’s on his brand new ATV and it turned over. It does not appear to be a direct consequence of sin, rather a tragic accident. So is God to blame? The South African guy said God killed his wife and 3 month old son. Was God the reason that this accident occurred and took away this youngster’s ability to walk?
This is one of the toughest things to resolve for Christians and non-believers alike. What good purpose could come out of the death of a 3 month old child or a smart young Christian student losing his ability to walk? We live in a world of pain and suffering. There is no one who is not affected by the harsh realities of life, and the question “why do bad things happen to good people?” is one of the most difficult questions in all of theology. God is sovereign, so all that happens must have at least been allowed by Him, if not directly caused by Him. At the outset, we must acknowledge that human beings, who are not eternal, infinite, or omniscient, cannot expect to fully understand God’s purposes and ways.
Since we cannot understand tragedy, if we are to cope with it, we must put our complete trust in the Lord. Bad things may happen to good people in this world, but this world is not the end. Christians have an eternal perspective: “We do not lose heart. Bad things happen to good people, but God uses those bad things for an ultimate, lasting good.
The one thing that comforts me in situations such as these is the knowledge that God loves us so much that He sent his Son to save us. Jesus voluntarily left His throne in heaven and came and submitted to the cruelest of deaths in a successful effort to defeat sin and death once and for all because of His incomprehensible love for us. I cannot envision sending one of my sons to do the same to save people who treat me shamefully and violate every vestige of decency. Love of that nature is not indicative of a vindictive God, rather it demonstrates the highest order of love in meting out mercy and compassion.
We are not privy to God’s thoughts on this subject because the Bible doesn’t give detailed answers to solve the “Why?” questions, especially to those who grieve. There are however, obviously enough answers in the Bible because it is perfect. If God felt we needed more information He would have expounded upon it. Instead He simply states, my grace is sufficient for you.
In Romans 8:28 we find a verse that explains there is a purpose, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” The baby for sure is in heaven and I hope the mother is too. Was that the purpose? Was it to bring the farm worker to salvation? Only God can answer those questions.
I hope the South African farm worker will find it in his heart to seek God and follow Him, it is the only way he will ever find peace and comfort in his life. I pray that the boy in the accident will walk again, but even if he doesn’t that one day he will use His experience to glorify God.
God allows things to happen for a reason. Whether or not we understand His reasons or agree with them, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful. Often, bad things happen to us that we simply cannot understand. Instead of doubting God’s goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. Faith is needed and if you think you don’t have enough then seek God in prayer and ask Him to strengthen it.
Proverbs 3:5
“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”