Why do bad things happen to good people?

Today: Job 1-4

A year ago, I heard about an incredible woman who was on medical leave. While on medical leave, she was laid off from her job. The day after she was laid off, she found out that she had cancer (on top of her other medical issue). This woman is kind, she loves God and she's a dedicated worker. She did nothing to deserve the hard things she faced.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen to God's people?

Many people reason, "If God is good, He wouldn't allow horrible things to happen to good people" or "Maybe people who experience tragedy did something to warrant the bad things happening in their lives."

These are tough questions and tough criticisms. Job's amazing story can help us address some (note that I'm not saying all) of them. Job was an incredible God-honoring man who lived his life with integrity. However, God allowed Satan to test Job's faith. In one day, all of Job's children died and Job lost all of his livestock (his income). After that, Job was cursed with a health crisis--he had horribly itchy, painful sores and ulcers from head to toe (ewww...).

Let's take a look at an interesting conversation between Job and his wife:

His wife said,

"Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you?

Curse God and be done with it!"
He told her,

"You're talking like an empty-headed fool.

We take the good days from God—

why not also the bad days?"
Not once through all this did Job sin.

He said nothing against God.

Wow. Job's example shows that we can't always control what happens to us, but we can determine how we respond. Despite the pressure and his personal feelings, Job choose to trust in God's sovereignty. He didn't understand--he just trusted.

Tomorrow: Job 5-7

Why did you pick me, God?

Today: Exodus 1-3


Have you ever had one of those moments when you absolutely knew you were supposed to do something...but you had doubts at the same time?

You may have thought that the task was so important that someone else should complete it...someone else with more experience, talent, brains, time or influence. You may have thought that the task was important, but wondered, "Does it need to happen now? Or would it be better if I took the 'wait and see' approach? Things happen for a reason, right?" Right?

But the feeling in your gut won't just go away...maybe because it's God at work. And if is, it's better to listen.

In today's passage, Moses had a "Why did you pick me, God?" moment when God asked him to talk to Pharaoh. Let's take a look:

Moses answered God, "But why me?

What makes you think that I could ever

go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?"

"I'll be with you," God said.

"And this will be the proof that I am the one who sent you:

When you have brought my people out of Egypt,

you will worship God right here at this very mountain."

Then Moses said to God,

"Suppose I go to the People of Israel and I tell them,

'The God of your fathers sent me to you';

and they ask me, 'What is his name?' What do I tell them?"

God said to Moses, "I-AM-WHO-I-AM.

Tell the People of Israel, 'I-AM sent me to you.'"

God continued with Moses: "This is what you're to say to the Israelites:

'God, the God of your fathers,

the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob sent me to you.'

This has always been my name, and this is how I always will be known..."

I love how the Bible has some very real people. I mean, Moses was hearing the voice of God from a burning bush for goodness' sake--and he still had doubts. God's response is amazing, though--He promised to be with Moses and He even gave Moses the words to say.

I think God's response to Moses is really the same response He offers when He calls us to do something. So if you think that feeling in your heart is God (and it's aligned with what His Word says), then rest in the fact that He will be with you...and can help give you the right words to say and the steps to take to tackle your challenge.

Tomorrow: Exodus 4-6