Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 12:23)
Today’s school shooting prompts me to change my planned topic and write on a question that always arises out of these tragic circumstances. Let me begin with the quick disclaimer that as a fallible human being with limited knowledge, I can’t know the answer to all the specific situations, until that Final Day, and maybe not even then in comprehensive perfection. I only know that God’s Word gives answers on “themes” of suffering, or ways in which God may be working through an individual’s suffering. The ultimate answer will always be “for God’s glory”, but that will not be good enough for some.
Like Habakkuk and Job, we are essentially told to “Trust Him” to handle the specifics for the moment. But for what it’s worth, here are some of the “themes”, or potential answers behind why certain kinds of suffering exist in the world, with the backing of scripture (There may be combined categories):
Testing – “Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” (Job 1:8-12) Job was tested by God through Satan on the motivation behind his devotion, and was proven righteous!
Healing – “As he (Jesus) went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. (John 9:1-3) God may indeed do a healing or mighty work in order to verify Jesus’ power, authority and glory.
Sanctification –“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) God used a physical weakness in Paul’s life to both keep him humble, trust in Christ’s strength, and through it teach others!
Spiritual Warfare – “Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. (Daniel 10:12-13) Apparently an archangel (Michael) was kept from getting to Daniel due to a confrontation by another “prince”; perhaps a fallen angel?
Repentance – “Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them. Do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:2-5) So while suffering and death may be a form of justice or punishment, it may also be a sign to the rest of us, & we should never assume that one’s condition before God is better off simply by looking at one’s circumstances.
Refinement/Purification of the Church – “When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:32) “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:7, 11) God may use suffering or difficult life circumstances to “train” us and mold us into the image of His Son!
I close with one more promise from God’s Word I’ve been meditating on this year and apply it to this theme as well: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (v31) All things, including evil and suffering, will be worked out for the advantage of the believer in Christ! The answer, then, on how to proceed forward in these times, are very obvious. It comes back to this: Am I willing to trust Him through these times, knowing what He has promised in His Word?