Read: Job 32-34
Focus Vese: “So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves. It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.” (Job 34:10-12).
Devotion: That’s the problem, and this raises more questions than answers. Here we see Elihu’s reply to Job, he finally speaks up. We know as the reader that Job is blameless and no one seems to be able to argue successfully otherwise. However, Elihu’s point is so strong because there is great logic and wisdom in it, and it just feels right. It seems absolutely correct to say that God wouldn’t (or couldn’t) do evil. If God is the ruler who creates order from chaos than God must also operate with justice, and good people suffering isn’t just. A question, a conundrum, humanity has faced since the fall: Why do bad things happen to good people? So far I think the answer Job is providing is both statements are true. God is just and does no evil, yet still in our broken world bad can happen to good people. We also see as the reader that it isn’t God doing this to Job at all, it’s the adversary (the Satan), who’s job appears to be to seek out the righteous and challenge if they really are that. Either way that isn’t exactly a satisfactory conclusion for our lives as to why bad still happens to good people. It sucks and it’s hard to wrestle with, and in time we learn that there are no easy answers. But we know that God is still just, and in the end we have hope that we will be restored to life with God and his son Jesus Christ where there will be no more hurt, pain, or mourning.
Pray: LORD help me understand if I even can. Please grant me wisdom as I wrestle with questions like this. Why do bad things happen to good people? Grant me patience to address this question and not rush to any conclusions, especially apart from You. Amen.
Additional Scripture: “He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)