“Why did this happen? Is God Punishing Us?”
A refugee brought that question up to our group of about 20 refugees from Eastern Ukraine after Sunday’s outreach.
How was I supposed to answer this difficult question?
Recently these types of questions have surfaced a lot in our meetings, and they often produce strong emotional responses from the refugees.
Counseling a refugee from Donetsk
I’m convinced there’s no simple answer to this question, yet God’s Word does give us some direction that’s worth considering.
All pain, suffering and death is ultimately the result of sin.
We often underestimate how terribly damaging sin is to us and to those around us. Sin is the reason for war, sin is the reason for death, all death.
The truth is that pain, suffering and death all exists in abundance without war. War simply pulls back the curtain a little farther than we’re comfortable with and brings those realities into view. It shows us the horridness of death when violently interrupts life on a massive scale.
The truth is that ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden death has reigned here on earth.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is everlasting life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 6:23
At times God does punish nations.
Many of the prophets warn of God’s judgement on Israel for not following the Lord’s instructions for them.
On account of this the anger of Jehovah is kindled on His people, and He has stretched out His hand against them, and has struck them; and the mountains quaked, and their dead bodies were as filth in the midst of the streets. In all this His anger does not turn away, but His hand is stretched out still. Isa 5:25
God also punished many other nations including Sodom and Gomorrah, Egypt, Babylon and Nineveh.
Just read the book of Nahum and you will find an entire book devoted to how God is going to punish Nineveh.
Notice is that before God punishes a nation he usually sends a prophet to warn of the coming destruction and to call people to turn from their ways.
So, yes, at times God uses war to punish nations but that is not always the case.
Whatever the reason we know what to do.
It’s easy to get stuck asking the question “Why?” Sometimes God may give us the answer, sometimes we may not know until we get to heaven why God allow certain things to happen.
We do however know how God wants us to act in these situations.
- He wants us to trust his sovereign control. (Psalm 56:2-14)
- He wants us to forgive those who sinned against us. (Eph 4:31-32)
- He wants us to be instruments of peace. (Mat 5:9)
- He wants us to love and serve those around us. (Gal 5:13)
Whatever the reason we can have hope.
This fact alone changes everything for those who believe in Jesus. We have a hope that is bigger, stronger, longer lasting, and better than any consolation the world can offer.
We have a hope that allows us enter into God’s presence. (Heb 6:18-19)
We have a hope that has conquered death, war, and all the painful consequences of sin. (1 Cor 15:55-57)
We have a hope that gives us strength in this life. (Rom 8:24-26)
floyd
September 17, 2015Oh man… that’s a tough one. I have to say that in all difficult circumstances in life I’ve gained something, but the key to that is a heavenly perspective that knows that this life is but a twinkling of an eye.
The most trying scenarios in life often bring about the most wisdom that is used to help others. “His ways are higher than our ways.” Our tough times could be meant and used for glorious things that we can’t begin to grasp. And sometimes our Father gives us a sneak peek into them. How often in life, and in history as recounted in the Bible, does good come out of bad? Almost every time…
Caleb
September 18, 2015Very true Floyd, it is the difficulties where we see God at work, where our faith is stretched and where we grow. I feel that my task in working with these refugees is to help them see God’s goodness, grace and forgiveness through these trials and then help them let go of the bitterness and anger than many of them still harbor, that is only possible through the supernatural power of the God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ!