Friday, 26 February 2010

• Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People (and Vice Versa)?

  The infamous question that we all wrestle with is "Why do bad things happen to good people and viceversa?" It's a question that knocks people out of faith and seriously discourages believers and nonbelievers from trusting in anything. The prophet Jeremiah was bold enough to ask God the same question.
  
  He says to God: "You are always righteous, O Lord, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all of the faithless live at ease?" Jeremiah 12:1(NIV)
  
  I admire Jeremiah's boldness and directness in questioning God. What I appreciate more though is God answer: "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets of the Jordan?" Jeremiah 12:5 (NIV)The most important part of God's answer is that He answers Jeremiah directly regarding Jeremiah's present state not first addressing his question about others. This shows me that God wants us to be most concerned with how things effect us instead of worrying what's going on in other people's lives.
  
  Trying to figure out why good things happen to bad people isn't necessarily spoken about in this verse, but it's a question that bothers everyone. In Ezekiel 29:20, God explains why King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has been successful since he was not a man of God. God says: "I have given him Egypt as a reward for his efforts because he and his army did it for me, declares the Sovereign Lord." (NIV). We see here that even people who may not follow God inadvertently do His will and are justly rewarded. We see and look through man's eyes; whereas, God looks through the Divine Lens and is just in all ways. God will reward even nonbelievers for fulfilling some part of His will. Although a bitter pill, we must swallow it because it shows that our God is truly just. Bearing in mind God's response to Jeremiah, I will try to always remain focused on exactly how my life is effected instead of questioning God about other people.
  
  Is there room for that in your life too? What are your thoughts or experiences feeling like good things happened to bad people and otherwise?
  
  

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