Devotion - Thursday, September 6

Mention was made during Tuesday's bible study of the book of Job.  Today, the Lectionary guided me to Job, from which I will be reading for the next four weeks.

Job is an interesting book.  It addresses the question of human suffering.  "Why do bad things happen to good people" was the title of book popular in the 1980's.  More recently, many have read a novel by the title of The Shack.  We have forever struggled to understand how anyone can suffer given that God is all powerful and all loving.  How does an all powerful and all loving God allow His chosen ones to suffer?

There are differing answers to the question.  Writers, exploring the topic while not advocating a single solution, have explored these various options.  Space here won't allow me to discuss them, but in a few lines I can point out that among God's faithful people there are differing ways of responding.

In Job (which I invite you to read with me over the next four weeks) the friends of Job offer these differing answers.  In the end, none satisfies Job or God.  Finally, the youngest of the observers will speak for God - saying "How are we mortals to understand such things." 

One of the reasons I dwell on this topic so much in my pastoral ministry is that I have seen the hurt inflicted on persons when they are offered only one possible answer.  When we say with confidence "God is punishing you for past sins!" or "This is God's way of making you stronger!" or "Stuff happens; just get used to it!" or "This all part of God's master plan!" -  and this does not match with the way in which God has been present in the life of the person, there is a disconnect and sometimes a falling away from God and God's presence.

Each of us must arrive at a solution to why there is evil in the world.  Among those of you reading these words, there are differing "preferred" answers.  Is there one "right" answer - I don't think so.  Too many God fearing, God loving, faithful disciples have chosen answers other than the one I prefer for me to ever think that I am right and they are wrong.  I hope you will arrive at your own answer, too.  But that you will offer your understand as one possible way, not the only way.