If God really is so powerful, why is there so much suffering in the world? This is a question that Melody, in Romancing Melody, and Patricia, in Crossing’s Redemption wrestle with in the third and fourth books of the Crossing series.
One of two daily devotions I get in my email box right now is from David Jeremiah, senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. He recently dealt with this question in a very short devotion. He says,
The most common complaint against the notion of a loving God is that such a God would not allow the suffering and trouble seen in the world. Trouble in the world doesn’t mean God is not good or powerful. Rather, it means God has reasons and plans that may not be plain to us.
When Joseph went through trouble in his life, he recognized that God had a greater purpose, one that resulted in good for his whole family (Genesis 50:19-21). And the apostle who endured tremendous trouble and suffering for the sake of Christ is the same apostle who wrote that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). That purpose, Paul wrote, is “to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). Just as God has a purpose for individuals, God has a purpose for the world — that it might reflect His goodness and beauty.
What do you think? Do you have trouble trusting God’s plan when you are in the midst of unfair or painful circumstances?
To receive email devotions from Pastor Jeremiah, click here.
For those of you trying to win a FREE copy of one of the Crossing books, here’s your question: In Ryan’s Crossing, what is the name of Amber and Ryan’s youngest sibling?
