Why Do The Innocent Suffer?

“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you and you shall answer me.”

Job 38:1-3

On Thursday evening we read of another tragic mass shooting event in the State of Maine. At least 18 were left dead and a dozen people injured. Most of these were innocent bystanders and were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

In the book of Job we see that Job was a righteous man and from an earthly perspective, did not deserve to suffer. In the midst of losing his wealth, his children, his health, and being comforted by friends who were not so comforting, Job cried out to God for the reasons he suffered. In Job 38, God came to Job in the form of a storm and mighty whirlwind and questioned Job’s own wisdom. God asked Job 77 questions including, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Where were you when I set the oceans in place?’ Where were you when I put the constellation of stars in the heavens? When God had finished His questions, Job replied “I have uttered what I do not understand, Things too wonderful for me which I did not know.” Job 42:3

Life is a mystery in which we may never know the rhyme or reason why good and godly people suffer. At times you may have wondered and questioned God why you have to suffer. At those painful and difficult times, we must learn from Job. God is a God of wisdom who knows infinitely more than we do.

Thought For Today: Take time today to read Job chapters 38-41 and review the questions that God asked Job. How does the infinite wisdom and knowledge of God make you feel? Can you take comfort in God’s Sovereign plans for your life?

Today’s Prayer Focus: Pray for those who have been tragically affect by the Maine mass shootings. Deo Volente.