When We Don’t Understand What God Allows
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the brokenness of this world. Can you relate? It’s even hard for me to watch the news for an extended period of time. It’s almost impossible to ignore the pain and turmoil that exists all around us. The older I get, the more I realize that Christ is the only hope! In his book, The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis wrote, “We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” What might God be saying to us in our suffering? How should we respond to Him? These are questions I hope to explore with you in this four-part series on testing and temptation.
Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world” (NASB95). These were some of His last words to His disciples before He went to the cross. Full of grace and truth (John 1:14), He lovingly prepared His dear ones for what was to come so they would not stumble and abandon their faith. He never wanted them to doubt His love for a second! His Word gives us that same encouragement when hardships tempt us to doubt Him. Whether we face trials or temptation, we have a choice: whose voice will we listen to? As we listen and yield to the Spirit, we can hold on to His promises rather than lose heart.
The book of Job in the Bible is about a man who went through intense trials. His story raises some difficult questions about suffering and what God allows. But it also gives us a picture of trusting and blessing God when we don’t understand. Although Job couldn’t see what God was doing, he continued to bless and worship God. Job’s story encourages us to keep turning toward God in our pain, trusting that He is at work even when we cannot see how.
Before we look more closely at Job, Jesus’ words to Peter give us a glimpse of the spiritual battle behind our trials. Satan had demanded to sift the disciples like wheat. In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus says, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (NASB95). Satan wanted Peter to fall, but Jesus prayed that his faith would not fail. What grace! Although Jesus knew Peter would deny Him three times, His words already held the promise of restoration and forgiveness. When we face trials and temptations, we need to remember the spiritual battle, keep yielding to God, and, when we fail, be quick to repent and encourage our fellow believers.
Ephesians tells us that “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12 NASB95). Alongside this unseen spiritual battle, we also face a struggle between our sinful nature and the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-17 says, “But I say walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of your flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please” (NASB95).
In times of suffering, we especially need to keep yielding to the Spirit and trusting God, rather than letting our own desires and feelings guide our response. When God tests us, Satan can use our weakness to bring us down. That’s why we need to be alert! Peter exhorts us to “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9 NASB95). Spiros Zodhiates explains that the meaning of the Greek word for “alert” carries the idea of watchfulness. He says, “Watchfulness or watching indicates that the Christian is alert or vigilant in order to defend himself against a spiritual foe. He is properly prepared for any surprise or sudden change in his circumstances, and above all, in order that His fellowship with God in prayer may be undistracted and efficacious” (CWSB G1127).
We don’t have to fear the devil, but we do have to be aware of the battle. The book of Job gives us a window into this spiritual realm. Job was a righteous man whom God had richly blessed. Before tragedy struck, the following conversation took place:
“Now there was a day when the sons (the angels) of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (the adversary and accuser) also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘From where did you come?’ Then Satan answered the Lord, ‘From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down on it.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who [reverently] fears God and abstains from and shuns evil [because it is wrong]?” (Job 1:6-8 Amplified Classic Version).
A very similar exchange took place in chapter two. Poor Job had no idea he was the topic of discussion between God and Satan. Isn’t it interesting that God was the One who first mentioned Job? Here is Satan’s response in Job 1:9-12:
“Then Satan answered the Lord, ‘Does Job [reverently] fear God for nothing? Have You not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have conferred prosperity and happiness upon him in the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your face.’ And the Lord said to Satan (the adversary and accuser), ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power, only upon the man himself put not forth your hand.’ So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord” (Amplified Classic Version).
Job lost his possessions, his children, and ultimately his health. Reading what God allowed Satan to do can be unsettling. But we must remember that God never allows suffering without a purpose. His intentions were very different than Satan’s. We can take comfort in the fact that God is sovereign. Spurgeon once said, “Satan has a long leash, but it is a leash nonetheless.” We don’t have to be afraid of God or live in fear of what Satan might do to us. Even when we don’t understand what God allows, we can keep trusting His heart. As we saw in John 16:33, in Jesus we have peace.
Job’s response to his suffering in chapter one gives us a picture of that trust. When his children and possessions were suddenly taken from him, Job responded in worship:
“Then Job arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshiped and said, ‘Naked (without possessions) came I [into this world] from my mother’s womb, and naked (without possessions) shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord!’ In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:20-22 Amplified Classic Version).
Job had a foundation of honoring God. God Himself described him as upright, a man who feared Him and turned away from evil. Job not only prioritized his relationship with God, but he was also deeply concerned for his children’s relationship with God (Job 1:5). His worship in suffering was not the beginning of his walk with God. His faith in God existed long before the suffering.
Like Job, we must be faithful to cultivate our relationship with God during the good times, so that we’ll find strength in Him to stand firm in the storms of life. My dad used to say that if we aren’t currently in a trial, we’re either coming out of one or going into one. We may not know what is ahead, but if we stay close to Jesus in the good times, we can trust Him in the hard times.
Pause & Reflect
- Read Matthew 7:24-27; John 17:14-21. How am I cultivating my relationship with God in the ordinary and good days of life? How does Jesus’ prayer encourage me to stay grounded in His Word when trials or opposition come?
- Read Psalm 119:49-50; Psalm 71:1-6. When unexpected hardship comes, whose voice am I listening to, and which promise from God’s Word can I hold on to?
- Read Philippians 4:4-8. What would it look like for me to bless God while honestly bringing Him my grief and questions?
Whether you are currently in a trial, have just come out of one, or are wondering what lies ahead, take some time to pray as you reflect on these questions. Be honest with God about your struggle and ask Him to help you keep trusting Him.
Job 23:10 NASB95
“But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
In the next post, we’ll consider the contrast between turning away from God and continuing to bless Him in our suffering – and how knowing His heart helps us keep trusting Him. I’ll see you there!
