"Why?"

[rizen1]

"Why?"
September 18, 2007
by Pastor Greg Laurie

"It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins . . . He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him." - John 9:3

The hurricane that devastated America's Gulf Coast communities was one of the most horrific natural disasters in our nation's history. In times like these, the question often asked is, "Why?" More specifically, "Why did God let this happen?"

The disciples asked Jesus a similar question in John 9. After seeing a man who had been blind from birth, the disciples asked one of the big questions in life, "Why?" They asked, " 'Why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?' " (v. 2).

But Jesus dismissed the idea out of hand, saying, " 'It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins . . . He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him' " (v. 3).


So why was this man in the condition that he was in? For that matter, why is there suffering and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, which has taken the lives of countless Americans? Even more so, why do we have war, and terrorism, and tragedy?

First of all, this man's blindness was not a result of personal sin. His blindness was the result of sin in general. For that matter, natural disasters, disease, and suffering are the result of sin in general. God told our first parents, Adam and Eve, that if they eat of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden they would surely die (see Genesis 2:17). Despite God's warnings, they ate of it. Since that moment, death has spread through the human race like wildfire. But God has offered a solution to death through His Son Jesus Christ. God loves us so much that He reached out to us by sending His own son, Jesus Christ, to to die for our sins.




This devotional delivered by: Harvest Christian Fellowship, NYC

 

[Ann]

Suffering can never ultimately be meaningless, because God Himself has shared it.

We are not exempt from the tragedies of this world, just as Jesus Himself was not exempt.

Whatever cup of suffering God asks us to drink, it could never be a cup like His, and it will never need to be drunk alone.

His love came down from Heaven in the form of His Son to reach out to me and you in our unique circumstances. Our hope is with Him to escape suffering in the long run by going to heaven and being with Him for eternity.

Thanks for the post it is very good and informative.

Blessings!

 

[Buddy2]

"Why?"
God told our first parents, Adam and Eve, that if they eat of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden they would surely die (see Genesis 2:17). Despite God's warnings, they ate of it.

Realize the truly perfect world in which Adam and Eve lived, having a bounty of all that they could need. Eve had to eat of the forbidden tree. Not due to the tempting of the devil, but her own greed. All that she had, that God had given, was not enough. Adam failed because in his wanting to please her, he also went over the boundary set by God.

How true this has been though out history and most importantly today!
That is "Why?"!