This is Part 6 of 6 parts answering the question, “Will God remove the suffering He allows?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?”

His Children Will Be With Him in Glory

One day, all of God’s people will assemble in heaven before His throne and worship Him in holiness and truth. John wrote concerning the Church Age saints who will assemble and worship during the Tribulation, “And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13 NKJ) Continue reading →

This is Part 5 of 6 parts answering the question, “Will God remove the suffering He allows?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part 6 will be posted tomorrow.

All Suffering Will Be Removed For His Children

While the trials on earth can be agonizing, it is the only place God’s children will suffer. Let’s note five things about this.  of all

First, suffering will be temporary, though it may last years. As Israel was about to leave the agony of the wilderness wanderings and enter into the prosperity of the Promised Land, Moses declared, Continue reading →

This is Part 4 of 6 parts answering the question, “Will God remove the suffering He allows?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part 5-6 will be posted on succeeding days.

God is Sovereign in Allowing The Suffering

In the first 37 chapters of this Divine revelation in the book of Job, God revealed that He alone allowed Job to suffer (Job 1-2), and that man in his finite understanding did not and could not understand the reasons for suffering! (Job 3-37)  That is why God questioned Job instead of any of his friends, because he was the most righteous. But even he did not fully understand! God’s response was rather blunt, Continue reading →

This is Part 3 of 6 parts answering the question, “Will God remove the suffering He allows?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part 4-6 will be posted beginning on August 28, 2014.

God Has a Purpose Behind The Suffering

God has promised to restore the world to the way it once was, removing sin and its effects. John recorded these words of the Lord, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (Rev. 21:5 NKJ) Unfortunately, until then there will be afflictions, but God has a purpose behind them.

We looked at this extensively in Part Three. Let me summarize a few of those thoughts. When Job suffered the loss of his ten children, his business and then his health, he responded to the desperate comment of his wife to curse God, “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” Continue reading →

This is Part 8 of 8 parts answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” This concludes this question.

God Allows Suffering in Numerous Other Ways   

There are many other reasons why God allows and even initiates the circumstances that produce suffering. Sometimes it is to get the attention of a wayward Christian. David wrote of his horrendous bodily suffering in three Psalms. He wrote about how his  “bones grew old…groaning all the day” (Ps. 32:3), “vitality turned into the drought of summer” (Ps. 32:4), “no soundness in my flesh” (Ps. 38:3), “nor any health in my bones” (Ps. 38:3), “bowed down greatly” (Ps. 38: 6),  “my loins are full of inflammation” (Ps. 38:7), “I groan because of the turmoil of my heart” (Ps. 38:8), and  “the bones You have broken” (Ps. 51:8) as examples of God’s intention to getting David’s attention so that he would flee from sin. The writer of Hebrews made it very clear that God’s love was invoked to restore one of His sinning children,

Continue reading →

This is Part 7 of 8 parts answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does God allow Suffering?” Part 8 will be posted tomorrow.

God Allows Suffering to Silence His Enemies  

The book of Job clearly reveals the Divine side of suffering. While Job did not know why he suffered in pain, the narrative revealed the Divine courtroom of history and the accusations Satan made against Job, and consequently God! God allowed Satan to first destroy Job’s businesses and resources, as well as his ten children. Then God allowed Satan to touch Job’s health with boils, but not take his life. Satan wanted to prove that Job only served God for financial gain and blessing. Job’s silence before God proved not only that God is sovereign but that the humble man will be silent before God, which in turn silenced Satan!

Continue reading →

This is Part 6 of 8 parts answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” of the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part 7-8 will be posted on succeeding days.

God Allows Suffering to Manifest of Love and His Glory

Job was a blameless man (Job 1:1). However, after the intense physical, emotional and relational suffering, he became distorted in his personal view of God. His three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar) promoted a false theology that taught suffering was a result of sin. Elihu (a fourth friend) tried to correct that as Waters writes, Continue reading →

This is Part 5 of 8 parts answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question of “Why does God allow suffering?” Part 6-8 will be posted on succeeding days.

God Allows Suffering to Create Greater Dependency Upon Him

Most teenage boys think they are invincible (at least my friends and I did when I was growing up!) Yet, as the years roll by that invincibility slowly changes into the realization of one’s utter frailty and weakness – and then the despair of laborious breathing at death’s door sets in! God allows suffering to reveal our need of His sustaining grace. Continue reading →

This is Part 4 of 8 parts in answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part 5-8 will be posted beginning on May 29, 2014.

God Allows Suffering to Manifest His Character Through Us

Although suffering and agony are despised, the glory they bring of a soul dependent on Jesus far outshines the sun! As Christians come alongside fellow believers, the Body of Christ manifests unity of the Spirit as they seek His peace. Shared meals, benevolent support and helping hands all contribute to demonstrate the gracious hands of Jesus in supporting believers through their agony. Abiding Christians will not leave one behind. They will not allow one to remain isolated in crippling pain. Continue reading →