WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN

When Bad Things Happen

Romans 8:28 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.

This is a verse of Scripture written by Paul the Apostle in a letter to the church at Rome. When it was read to the believers it would have been difficult for them to understand or to believe. How can all things possibly work for the good of those who love God?

They lived in a city dominated by a madman by the name of Nero. This is the madman that in A.D. 64 blamed the Christians for a fire that started in Rome and devastated a large area of the city. He charged the Christians with the crime. Many were persecuted and killed for a crime they did not commit. It is quite likely that Peter and Paul were executed while he was in office. Nero’s thirst for power led him to kill his stepbrother and his mother. Later he banished his wife Octavia before having her killed. He was, by any judgment, an evil man responsible for much hardship, suffering and death over those he ruled. It is understandable why the people would have asked the question, “Why does God let bad things happen to good people?”

It was this concern the Apostle Paul addressed and he did so to reassure the followers of God that God was aware of what was going on and he would bring something good out of all of the evil. The good would come to them in their weakness and their brokenness with the greater good coming to them when they stood in His presence. Even if they or their loved ones suffered the worst things imaginable in this life, God would work it together for their good. His promise to them and to all who call on the Name of the Lord is that they will be blessed with the gift of eternal life.

Their suffering and our suffering is to be viewed as a refining process. The Bible declares it is in the difficulties and the trials of life where faith is tested and proven to be genuine. It may not be easy for us to understand this and it is without question, something that has to be accepted by faith. We must often remind ourselves it is not going to be easy to go through this refining process. It wasn't easy for Jesus either. He will never require anything of us that he hasn't experienced himself. When he was touched by the greatest act of evil in the history of mankind, crucifixion, He trusted His Heavenly Father to deliver him. We are to do no less. Jesus faced the worst His enemy could bring against Him and it cost Him His life. We are to follow His example, even to the point of losing our lives and just as he did, we are to trust in our Heavenly Father.

It doesn't matter what evil the enemy of God throws against us our faith responds with the affirmation: God is at work in “everything” that touches us and it will work for our good. Even though we live in an evil, fallen world; a world characterized by its sin and evil behavior, God is working out His plan and purpose in our lives and our ultimately victory in Christ.  Remember dear friends, God didn’t come into this world to make us happy. He came to fulfill his plan and his purpose in our lives that leads to our redemption, forgiveness and restoration. For those who have confessed and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and been born again, they have the assurance that regardless of what happens to them in this life, they are safe and secure in Christ.

This assurance is not for everyone but only for those who have “in faith” responded to the call of God’s love and believed on His Son, Jesus Christ. They have been born again and possess a new heart, a new mind and a fresh hunger and thirst for righteousness. They walk by faith, not by sight, and when the going gets difficult they trust in God to deliver. Their security is not in the world and those who are a part of the world. Their security is in Jesus their Savior and in their Heavenly Father who is eagerly awaiting their ultimate arrival in heaven. Knowing this they too eagerly await His coming or their homegoing. The faith and trust they have in Christ will keep them secure when the trials and tribulations of life are raging around them. Their faith, though tried, will remain true in pain or in persecution because they know God is with them. Hallelujah what a Savior. Love in Christ, david