Healing Words For Hurting Hearts

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
–Psalm 103:8

In 2007, a Nebraska state senator named Ernie Chambers filed a lawsuit against God. The senator was seeking a permanent injunction against the Almighty to prevent Him from acts of violence, such as earthquakes, famines, and tornadoes. Chambers was trying to make a point that everybody–even God–has a right to their day in court. But in the end, the lawsuit was thrown out because God could not be served papers to appear in court. “Despite my most sincere, zealous efforts, I could not find a location to serve the defendant,” Chambers said.

Now I doubt you or I would have the courage to sue God. But the truth is, many of us secretly harbor questions about the Almighty’s actions, especially when it comes to suffering in the world. If there really is a God who is loving and good, why does He allow suffering and evil in the world? As we saw last week, Scripture says that God is ultimately responsible for everything that happens in His universe, even suffering. I am not saying that God is the instigator of evil, but that God claims responsibility for everything that happens in His creation. Look at what God Himself said in Isaiah 45:6-7: “I am the Lord, and there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these.” To me it is comforting to know that God is in charge of everything. It means I am not just a victim of random circumstances–God is in control of everything that comes into my life.

But how do we know that God is not some sadistic Sovereign who enjoys inflicting torture upon His children? It is because of what the Bible reveals about the character of God. Psalm 103:8 says, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.” Or Psalm 107:1: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Or 1 John 4:8: “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” Max Lucado explained the practical implications of God’s love this way: “Go to the beginning of every decision he has made and you’ll find it. Go to the end of every story he has told and you’ll see it. Love. . . . The same God who was mighty enough to carve out the canyon is tender enough to put hair on the legs of the Matterhorn Fly to keep it warm. The same force that provides symmetry to the planets guides the baby kangaroo to its mother’s pouch before the mother knows it is born.” The God who is in control of everything in the world, including every circumstance in your life, is a good and a loving God. Yet how do we reconcile a good and loving God with the evil that is in the world? That is what we are going to explore this week.

Today’s devotion is excerpted from “Healing Words For Hurting Hearts” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2008.

Josh Funk, “Chambers Says Lawsuit Against God Has A Point,” Lincoln Journal Star, August 4, 2008, https://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/chambers-says-lawsuit-against-god-has-a-point/article_eec2a035-789e-5742-af09-b3cbd62d92c3.html; Max Lucado, “When You Can’t Hide Your Mistakes,” https://maxlucado.com/when-you-cant-hide-your-mistakes/.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.

 

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