TOPIC:"When Tragedy Breaks Into Your Life"
by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap
TEXT:Romans 8:28-39
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those
who love God and are called according to His purpose for them" (Romans 8:28,
NLT)
Some years ago I had the funeral of a little girl by the name of Monica. She was only five years old when because of a freak accident her life was taken from us. Staring many in the face was the question Why? Why did an all-loving, all-powerful and all-good God allow this to happen? Why does a caring God tolerate evil, suffering, and tragedy in His universe? Perhaps those are some of the questions you have been asking. Why? Now there is nothing wrong in questioning God about these matters of life. Even Jesus questioned God in these words: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" (Matthew 27:46)? The answer to these perplexing questions can only be found in the eternal wisdom and purpose of God that one day will be revealed to each one of us.
Certainly the man who is not a Christian, who has never put his faith in Jesus Christ to be his personal Savior from sin, may respond in several different ways when tragedy breaks into his life. He may deny it. What pain? It is not real. He may doubt God. This is the road many travel. They cry out, "Where is God?" They argue, "If there is a God, why doesn't He do something about the suffering in the world?" He may blame God. This was the path Job's wife suggested that he take: "Curse God, and die" (Job 2:9). I know a man who for over thirty years blamed God for the mental retardation of his son. Or he may repress it. Be indifferent to it. Or he may exhibit the philosophy of the rich fool who declared: "Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry" (Luke 12:19). Live for the moment.
But when tragedy breaks into the life of one who genuinely loves God and knows God through Jesus Christ, then their response should be different. Notice I said, "should be different." They may claim the promise of our text: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." The fact is, however, that all too often Paul's radiant assurance as found in these words is not the soft pillow we as believers rest upon. We fret and fear and become anxious, even depressed. Such a promise becomes a real problem for many of us to accept. We just can't believe that God uses everything to work together for our good. Perhaps some things turn out for our welfare, but certainly not ALL things without exception. That is too difficult for us to accept.
Let us then consider these words of the . . .