Scripture: Judges 6:13; Psa. 10:1

C.I. “…A God Who Allows People to Suffer?”

During our series this month we are answering questions raised by skeptics! - So far … - Today…!

I. Various Causes & Lessons of Suffering…

A. Suffering Caused by Past Generations

1. Decisions made by others prior even to our birth may be the cause of much suffering!
a. Who knew that filling our schools with asbestos (warmth) – would later cause cancer?
b. Who knew that giving pregnant women Thalidomide – would produce horrendous deformities?
c. Who knew that spraying foliage with Agent Orange – would have such devastating effects?

2. God warned us about the enduring nature – of the choices that we make… (I Tim. 5:24), “The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them into judgment; for others, their sins follow after.”
a. (Jer. 18:2-3), “What do you mean by using the proverb concerning the children of Israel, saying,
‘The fathers eat the sour grapes, but the children’s teeth are set on edge’? – ‘As I live,’ declares
the Lord God, ‘you are surely not going to use this proverb in Israel anymore.’”
b. The Jews felt that the spiritual consequences for the actions of others was theirs to bear. – But
God wants them to understand – they may have to face the physical consequences of previous
generations – but NEVER the spiritual consequences… - (v. 4), “Behold, all souls are Mine, the
soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.”

B. Suffering Caused by Violating Natural Laws

1. God in His love created an orderly universe (Rom. 1:20). Ignoring His laws will have consequences!
a. F=m(32.2ft/sec2), a father falls while working on the roof of a building. “Why God?!”
b. F=ma, a car-load of kids tries to beat a train… and doesn’t. “Why God?!”
2. We may ask, “But why didn’t God cradle the man or stop the train?!!” - Because He loves us!!!
a. What sort of world would this be – if God suspended His natural laws - every time someone encountered a life threatening situation?
b. Many of the wonderful inventions/processes came about – because we work with His laws!
c. Suffering in this life - may come from violating natural law – but it is nothing compared to the
suffering which comes from – violating spiritual law! - (Lk. 13:4-5), “Do you suppose those 18
on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits then all the men….”!

C. Suffering Caused by Our Own Choices

1. While we may want to point the finger at others - much of our suffering we bring upon ourselves.
a. One of the greatest blessings God bestowed upon mankind – is free will (the power to choose).
1) (Gen. 1:26), “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our own image, according to Our liken.”
2) (Deut. 30:19), “I have set before you life/death, blessing/curse – choose life that you….”
b. When people look around & want to blame God/others – we probably should look in a mirror….
1) A young person sows their wild oats – then ends up paying the consequences, (Gal. 6:7-8).
2) Someone takes up a habit (cigarettes, booze, etc.) - and the habit takes them, (II Pt. 2:19).
3) Hanging out with the wrong crowd – and then dislikes the end result, (I Cor. 15:33).
c. Its human nature not to want to accept the blame – yet we will not learn w/o acceptance!

D. Some Suffering May be Beneficial

1. Not all pain is bad…
a. Some physical suffering be symptomatic of a greater problem.
1) Angina pectoris (>630 muscles) only the myocardium has pain when deprived of oxygen.
2) Hansen’s disease (leprosy): Mycobacterium leprae, affects peripheral nerves producing anesthetic effect. Infection & trauma (w/o awareness) account for most of the loss of tissue.
3) So if God took away all suffering – we would all essentially become lepers!
b. Emotional suffering may bring us closer to God…
1) When we suffer through the loss of a loved one – it should cause us to want to live in such a
way – that we know that we will see them again!
2) (I Thess. 4:13-14, 18), “We do not want you to be uniformed about those who have died that
you may not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. – For if we… - Comfort one another….”
c. It is through suffering that many wonderful traits are developed; bravery, heroism, self-sacrifice!!

E. Suffering, May At Times, Seem Illogical

1. How do we make sense of it when our suffering just does not seem to make sense?!
a. In the O.T., a man named Job lost his 10 children and all his wealth in the space of a few hours.
1) This was in spite of the fact that God says of Job, “A blameless & upright man, fearing God & turning away from evil,” (v. 8).
2) (Job 1:21b), “The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name….”
3) But later, when the suffering became practically unbearable, Job said, (Job. 13:3), “I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue with God!”
4) But God never explained the reason for his suffering – so Job learned not to trust in reasons but in God, (Job 42:3-6), “I have declared that which I did not understand … I will ask You, and You instruct me … Therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.”

2. So then, what are we to do with suffering?
a. #1: Look for God’s Plan – (Jms. 1:2-4) – it brings maturity like nothing else can!
1) What we learn from suffering depends on the faith we brought to it. – Did we believe after it? Then we had faith prior to it. – If we did not believer afterwards, we had no faith prior to it. – If we had little faith, wrong faith, misconception of faith – then suffering will expose it. – Only faithful believers will find any real meaning in suffering!
b. #2: Look for God’s Purpose – (I Pt. 2:21-23) – That God allowed His Son to experience
incredible suffering for us – proves His love and care for us)!!!
c. #3: Look for God’s Promise – (Heb. 11:13-16), “All these died in faith without receiving the
promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having
confessed that they were strangers & exiles on the earth. – For those who say such things
make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own … a better country, that is a
heavenly one. – Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God.”

Hebrews 5:8-9 – Mark 16:16