Isaiah 46:9-10 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
9 [Earnestly] remember the former things, [which I did] of old; for I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose,
Matthew 10:29-30 Amplified Bible
29 Are not two little sparrows sold for a [a]copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered [for the Father is sovereign and has complete knowledge].
If we have been taught the Bible throughout our life, we have been taught about the “sovereignty of God” or that “God is sovereign.”
But what does that mean?
It simply means that God is the “supreme power or authority” over all that we know, and there is NONE other.
God is sovereign through His omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience. He is all powerful, all knowing and all present.
There is only ONE God Jehovah, the creator of ALL things. God is the master of ALL things. He is in control of ALL things.
Because of this, the sovereignty of a loving God, some will ask “why does he allow so much pain and suffering?”
It is a valid question and certainly worth taking a look at.
WHY DOES SOVEREIGN GOD ALLOW PAIN AND SUFFERING?
The first thing to understand is that God has a purpose for all things. This will be repeated several times in this lesson, as it is vital to know if we are to understand our trials and suffering.
Because of and through the sovereignty of God, He is in complete control of all things and has a purpose in all things.
The young couple who has a young child die will ask the question "why?" The man who had a heart attack at age 40 wonders "why?" Why do these things happen?
When trials come our way with our physical health or the death of a loved one, it is difficult to fully realize that God is a God of love and does not want us to suffer in any way.
Because of mankind’s disobedience to God, it was appointed unto man, once to die the physical death. It is important to understand that “original SIN” is the reason that humans have diseases, afflictions and death.
However, not all trials are health related and trials or suffering of any kind are a part of this earthly life. And as hard as it is to accept at the time, they work to help us develop spiritually and grow closer to God.
Romans 5:3-5 Amplified Bible
3 And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; 4 and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. 5 Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Remember, God doesn’t cause all things, but He does allow all things.
The fact that sin exists on earth signifies that God doesn’t cause all things, as He is holy and would never cause sin in any form.
But, again, He does allow all things. Nothing happens that is beyond or outside of His knowing.
As our sovereign God or Supreme being, He doesn’t force His will upon us, but allows us to make our own choices as free moral agents.
Some problems we bring upon ourselves as free will creatures, like cigarette smoking, alcoholism, fast driving, etc. Other problems just happen.
The bottom line is that they are a part of our life on this earth.
WE CAN'T SEE THE PURPOSE OR BENEFIT IN THE MOMENT
Unfortunately, we can’t see the future, but only what is happening in the present. God however looks ahead and there is a future purpose for whatever He allows now.
If we are facing difficulties or trials, we have the assurance that God is with us. He promised that He would never leave or forsake us and we can be sure that He never breaks a promise.
Yet, even with the promise of God, when things look dark it is sometimes difficult to realize that He is with us and is caring for us.
Through it all, we must remember and take comfort in the fact that God is in control.
GOD DOES HAVE A PURPOSE--ALWAYS!
We must always remember that God is in total control and has a purpose in all things.
God has a perfect plan for all things, and this includes the trials and sufferings of His children.
He uses trials, pain and suffering to draw us closer to Him.
Through trials, pain and suffering, the child of God will look inward, assessing and taking spiritual inventory. Through them, our faith and trust in Him will become more evident, steadfast and sure. Because of and through our trials pain and suffering we grow stronger in our faith.
Lastly, God uses our trials, pain and suffering to cause believers to focus on their eternal home with God and His love, grace and mercy. Our trials, pain and suffering are only temporal, but the heavenly home that awaits us is eternal.
Romans 8:18 KJV
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
MAY OUR FAITH and TRUST BE STEADFAST and SURE
Let us grow in faith, grow closer to God and learn the lesson that He has for us.
If you are experiencing a trial at this moment, our prayer is that you will draw nearer to God. He loves you, cares for you and has a lesson for you.
Unfortunately, we cannot see the future, but only know the present.
Omnipotent God however looks ahead and sees the future purpose for what He allows in the present.
Getting back to the couple who lost a child and the young man who had a heart attack, I’ve heard more than a few who have suffered trials say, “it was a wake-up call” and “it brought me closer to God.”
There is a purpose in all things that is not always evident at the time but will become evident over time.
However, we can rest assured with all confidence and faith, that no matter the outcome of our trial, we know that all things work to the benefit of a child of God.
God allows and uses them to complete His ultimate plan for His children.
Romans 8:28 KJV
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
RVH