Living in Increase (Part 10) - Increase in AwarenessSample

Be Aware that God is Good

In 2007, a state senator from Nebraska decided to sue God. Ernie Chambers sought a permanent injunction ordering God to cease certain harmful activities and the making of terrorist threats. According to this lawsuit, God had caused fearsome floods, egregious earthquakes, horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes, pestilential plagues, ferocious famines, devastating droughts, genocidal wars, birth defects, and the like. The judge dismissed the case when God failed to attend the trial. Chambers argued that God is omniscient, so He should have seen it coming. Chambers knew his lawsuit was absurd, but that did not prevent him from pursuing it.

We live in a world where innocent people often suffer, and we frequently blame God for causing the suffering or at least being absent when bad things occur. The reality is we live in a fallen world. Romans 8:22 says, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God in the Garden of Eden, the relationship between God and man was altered. Blaming God for causing suffering is as absurd as bringing a lawsuit against Him.

It is in our nature to want to understand why things out of our control happen. Rather than seek answers, God wants us to trust Him. He has a plan for us. According to Jeremiah 29:11, His plans for us are good. The terrible things we witness and experience cause us to question God’s faithfulness and love for us. The truth is that God’s glory is so much greater than any suffering we have to endure (Romans 8:18).

Senator Chambers failed to recognize God as loving, caring, and compassionate.

Instead, he focused on the circumstances and sufferings of life. Because of this, Chambers missed out on an opportunity to have a relationship with God. He was blind to God’s promise that “all things work together for the good to those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). God is not causing or ignoring our suffering, nor is He absent during our moments of weakness and pain.

Julie Austin

Action Step: Ask God to reveal how His goodness and glory are greater than the suffering we witness or experience. Pray for those who suffer. Seek opportunities to comfort and help those who are hurting and in need.