Why do bad things happen to good people?

In the midst of suffering, do you ever wonder why bad things happen to good people? Job, a book of blessings and hardships, sheds light on this age-old question. In this story, we meet Zophar, a friend of Job’s who delivers a rebuke so harsh that it would make even the most callous among us wince.

Zophar exhorts Job to view his situation through God’s eyes, insisting that he deserves less than what he already has. But wait a minute, Job has lost everything. Job, covered in painful sores, is reduced to sitting among the refuse of his former life.

How could Zophar be so cruel? He claims that if Job turns to God, everything will be alright, but surely there must be some specific sin causing his suffering. Yet the truth is quite the opposite since God had already said that there is none like Job.

As it says in Job 12:6, “The tents of the destroyers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure, whom God brings into their power.”

Even though it may seem like the wicked are ruling the world and experiencing abundance, it cannot be because God has left Job. In fact, the wicked who are materially blessed are under God’s decree, for He is directly in control.

We must remember that God is the fount of all wisdom and His sovereignty is never in question. He allows the godly to suffer, and we should cherish this fact in our hearts.

Is it comforting to know that suffering is a feature of a godly mind? A godly person always looks to God, not man’s achievements or failures. So let’s remember this and keep our focus on the Almighty, even in the midst of trials and hardships.

For the next devotion in this series click here.

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