Why Me Lord?

Have you asked this question lately? Has something happened in your life that is causing you to second guess God's goodness, fairness and love? Do you believe you are somehow being punished by God through a time of unexplainable suffering?

Job is said to be the oldest book in the Bible. It's theme is blessings through suffering and gives us insight into the work of Satan. Job is living his life as a godly and upright man when disaster strikes. Unbeknown to Job, God has allowed Satan to take away Job's wealth, family and health. Satan believes that if the things Job values most are taken away, he will surely curse God. He even goes to the extent to infer that God would not have any followers if He did not reward them!

The basic question is not, "Why do godly people suffer?" but, "Is our God worthy of our worship and service or must He "buy" us with His blessings?" Life is good when God is "blessing" us with good health, wealth and comfort, but throw in an inconvenience and misfortune and we start to question, "Why me?" "What have I done to deserve this treatment?" "If you are a loving God, why do you let your people suffer?"

Trouble isn't always a sign of sin in a person's life. It may well be something that God allows to draw us closer to Him. As we see calamity and suffering in the life of Job, others and ourselves, we must remember we live in a fallen world where good behavior is not always rewarded and bad behavior is not always punished. There is some suffering that will never be understood or explained. Only God can see the big picture and the future and knows what needs to be done in order for His will to be accomplished.

Let's look at some ways suffering can actually be helpful and beneficial:

• When we turn to God for understanding, endurance and deliverance.
• When we ask important questions we might not take time to think about in our normal routine.
• When we are prepared by it to identify with and comfort others who suffer.
• When we are open to being helped by others who are obeying God.
• When we are ready to learn from a trustworthy God.
• When we realize we can identify with what Christ suffered on the cross for us.
• When we are sensitized to the amount of suffering in the world.

Job was rewarded for his integrity and came out of his suffering experience grasping a greater understanding of God's majesty, sovereignty and independence and was able to see himself as God saw him. God restored his health, gave him another family and made him wealthier than before.

Here's a great reminder of who God is from the devotional, Heaven Calling.....

" My child, here is a truth to bring you some measure of relief from the pressure of your day: you are not God! I say that because I want to take the burden off your shoulders. You don't have to make everything in your world work according to your plans. If you simply let go and rest in me, I'll take care to make everything work according to my plans.

My love for you is greater and deeper than you will ever understand. So are my wisdom and power. As with my servant, Job, I welcome your questions, your sorrows, your requests, and above all, your burdens. I will walk with you each day of your life, and through the difficult times in particular, because I love you. And because I am God. Your God."

BLOG QUESTION: What are your thoughts on the statement - "God would not have any followers if He did not reward them?"