Who’s in Charge of a World That Suffers? By Billy Graham

Day 3 of 5:

Why Does a Loving God Allow Suffering?

Many people ask, “Why does God allow fear to continue to grip the hearts of people today?” They ask, “Where is God’s power? Why doesn’t He stop all this misery and cruelty with which our world has been cursed?” Others ask, “How can God be good and merciful, when every day men and women are crushed by agonies almost beyond their endurance?” These questions are asked not only by atheists and enemies of religion, but also by bewildered Christians, who, staggering under the burden of anguish, cry out, “Why must I bear this misery? How can God lay all this suffering on me?”

One of the earliest books in the Bible, the Book of Job, deals with this difficulty. Some today have experienced war, terrorism, broken relationships, financial pressures, and many other hardships. But I doubt they have sustained losses as large as Job’s were when treacherous enemies captured his men and all his herds and flocks. Perhaps there is someone whose son or daughter has been held hostage, or who has received notification that his son or daughter was killed in action. Job lost seven sons and three daughters in a single day. Others, perhaps, are stricken by sickness and groaning in pain. Job suffered from some form of sickness that made his body a mass of boils and sores. 

When Job could find no human explanation for his afflictions, he cried to God, “tell me what charges you have against me” (Job 10:2). 

This age-old question of “Why must the righteous suffer?” is as old as time. There is only one place where we can find an answer and that is in the Bible. Yet in their blindness some men have rejected divine guidance to insist that everything in life comes from chance. Fate, they declare, smiles on some people, and they have an easy, untroubled existence. Fate frowns on others, and they are beset with unnumbered difficulties. They say that it is all a matter of luck. “Since we are only creatures of chance,” they conclude, “why not press every drop of pleasure out of life while we can, and have our full fling before tomorrow comes and death with it?”

Other skeptics have gone to the opposite extreme and declared that people suffer because they are weak. “Learn to be hard and ruthless,” they urge. “Smash all opposition. Away with sympathy, kindness, and mercy. Down with love.” Oh but they haven’t considered the love of God! 

Secularists fail to offer satisfying solutions to man’s dilemma of suffering. Often humanistic philosophies tend to create further confusion and personal discouragement. 

The question of why God allows suffering is one of the most profound mysteries of life. And it is a difficult question to answer. We cannot turn to any one passage in the Scriptures to find a thorough and conclusive treatment of the subject, but the Bible does hint at some answers. I would like to share with you some truth that can be helpful. 

Realize that God has been active in working toward the alleviation of suffering. 

Remember that suffering originated in the Garden of Eden, as we discussed earlier. God gave people the freedom of choice: to choose good or to choose evil. Part of the human makeup that distinguishes the human race from other creatures is the ability to reason and make moral decisions. Man is a free moral agent. 

Adam chose to follow the advice of Satan, and he rebelled (sinned) against God. Adam’s choice (his sin) opened a “Pandora’s box” of suffering for mankind. A careful study of Genesis reveals that Adam’s action produced a wide spectrum of suffering: physical, spiritual, social, psychological, and even ecological. In a very real sense, the suffering of this world was created by man himself. The tendency to sin, the sinful nature, is a human characteristic transferred from Adam and Eve to the second  generation of mankind. And it has been transferred to every generation since. It is part of the human nature we have all inherited.

And yet it is God who took action to solve the problem. In the Garden He gave Adam a ray of hope—the promise that one day He would send His Son (the seed of the woman) to earth to destroy the devil’s work and deal with the problems of man’s sin and suffering. 

We have seen this fulfilled historically in Jesus Christ. By His life, death, and resurrection He triumphed over Satan and sin, and He is the key to the solution of suffering. By His death, He releases us from the penalty of sin. By His resurrection life, He gives us the power over the tendency to sin as we allow Him to control our lives. 

So we see that God has not been passive regarding the plight of the human race. He has taken action. In fact, all of history is moving toward a time when Christ will establish His rule over all the universe. Satan, sin, and suffering will be eliminated entirely. God promises to free us from the penalty and power of sin; and one day He will produce an environment in which we will be free from the presence of sin and the suffering associated with it. Isaiah 9:6, 7: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” 

It is in God’s own suffering that we see His great love. We must not try to evaluate God’s character and judge whether or not He is a loving God by looking at our own sufferings. It is by looking at the cross that we come to know and experience the depth of God’s love for us. 

Respond

Have you experienced a season of deep suffering in life where you felt like Job? 

How does the knowledge that your suffering is not caused by fate or your own weakness impact your view of God’s character? 

How does reflecting on God’s demonstration of love on the cross encourage you in your walk with Him? 

Job 10:2 King James Version

2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.

Isaiah 9:6-7 King James Version

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Genesis 3:6-7 King James Version

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

The Passion Easter Devotional

Day 5 of 7:

“The Thief” Devotional – The Passion

“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” (Luke 23:32-34, NIV)

Jesus wasn’t the only one put to death that day. Two other men were crucified as well. The New International Version in Matthew calls them “rebels.” The two who flanked Jesus on either side were, indeed, criminals. Guilty, they both stood in stark contrast to a blameless Jesus. Yet, their individual responses to Jesus were completely different.

Verse 39 in Luke 23 says, “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’” This scene recalls the time when Satan was tempting Jesus, taunting Him, asking Him to do things on the enemy’s terms. In that instance and in this one, we quickly learn that God will not be mocked. The naysayers don’t get the final word.

The second man hanging beside Him takes a different approach. The story continues in Luke 23: “But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” (v. 40-42)

The second man recognized Jesus for who He was—the perfect, sinless Savior of the world. He also recognized himself for who he was in that moment—a sinful human. Though Scripture never specifies what he had been found guilty of, the man owned it. He admitted his sin, and he asked Jesus to forgive him. 

“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:43)

So, who are you in this story? Are you the man who mocks Jesus, daring to ask Him to prove His power and authority? Or are you the other man? The man who owns up to his wrongs and asks Jesus for forgiveness.

Truth be told, there’s a little bit of each of these men in all of us, isn’t there?

Luke 23:32-34 King James Version

32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Luke 23:39 King James Version

39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

Luke 23:40-43King James Version

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Who’s in Charge of a World That Suffers? By Billy Graham

Day 2 of 5:

He is a God of Love

God is not blind to man’s plight. He does not stand on a mountaintop, helplessly viewing the crash of mankind. Since man caused his own crash by his rebellion against the Creator, God could have allowed him to plunge on in darkness and destruction. This would have been in keeping with God’s holiness and righteousness. However, this other great attribute of God, His love, would not allow Him to do it. From the very beginning of that crash, God had a plan for man’s deliverance, redemption and reconciliation. In fact the plan is so fantastic that it ultimately lifts man far beyond and above even the angels. God’s all-consuming love for mankind was decisively demonstrated at the cross, where His compassion was embodied in His Son Jesus Christ. The word compassion comes from two Latin words meaning “to suffer with.” God was willing to suffer with man. 

In the thirty-three years preceding His death, Jesus suffered with man; and ultimately He suffered for man on the cross. “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:19). Again, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). 

It was the love of God that sent Jesus Christ to the cross. It was because He was in control and controlled by love that He provided that divine substitute for our sin. 

God’s love did not begin at the cross. It began before the world was established, before the time clock of civilization began to move. The concept stretches our understanding to the utmost limits of our minds. Turn back in your imaginations to the countless eons before God created this present earth, when it was “without form and void” and the deep, silent darkness of outer space formed a vast gulf between the brilliance of God’s throne and the dark vacuum where our present solar system now exists. Imagine the brilliance of God’s glory as the cherubim and seraphim, the very angels themselves, cover their faces with their wings in awe and reverence toward Him who is the high and holy One who inhabits eternity! 

Even at this time He foreknew all that would happen, and yet, in His mysterious love, He allowed it. The Bible tells us about the “Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). God foresaw what His Son was to suffer. As it has been said, there was a cross in the heart of God long before the cross was erected at Calvary. Only as we think in these terms will we begin to grasp the wonder and greatness of His love for us.

Respond

How does the knowledge that God is compassionate towards our suffering change your perspective on your circumstances?

How does Scripture provide evidence for the depth of God’s love for us? 

Read Romans 8:38-39. How can you apply this message of hope to a suffering world?

2 Corinthians 5:19 King James Version

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Romans 5:8 King James Version

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The Passion Easter Devotional

Day 4 of 7:

“Peter Denies Jesus” Devotional – The Passion

“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:61-62, NIV)

At The Last Supper, Peter had declared that he would never deny Jesus, that he would never leave His side. Never say never, Peter. Jesus already knew in that moment that  he would deny him not once, not twice, but three times.

“Never!” Peter said.

After Jesus had been arrested, Peter looked on from a distance as they led him away. A portion of the crowd had gathered in the courtyard, and Peter sat down by the fire. There, a servant girl recognized his earlier proximity to Jesus. But Peter told her, “Woman, I don’t know him.” (v. 57)

Later on, someone accused him of being one of The Twelve, and Peter replied, “Man, I am not!” (v. 58)

Finally, an hour later, a third person confirmed that he had been spotted with Jesus. Verse 60 seals the deal: “Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.”

Haven’t we all been like Peter? We defend ourselves—perhaps with a little bit of pride—and say we would never disown Jesus. Yet, in the next instant when following Jesus becomes too inconvenient, too risky, too uncomfortable or too unpopular, we’re content to pretend like we’re not on His team…or we sit back and say nothing at all. After all, what would people think if we took a stand? What would they say if we aligned ourselves with Jesus?

We often deny Jesus on a regular basis out of fear and pride. And it appears Peter was operating under a bit of trembling and arrogance that day. Let’s just say it wasn’t his finest moment. 

We can identify, can’t we? It’s far easier to just go with the flow than to swim upstream with Jesus. It’s far more acceptable to live in the grey than to stick to black and white beliefs. But that’s not the life Jesus calls us to. He wants our unwavering allegiance at all times. 

The best part of this story actually happens after the resurrection. Jesus comes back from the dead, and the first person He’s looking for is Peter. Can you imagine how terrified Peter must have been? Or maybe it wasn’t terror he was feeling at all. Maybe it was relief—relief that he could finally tell Jesus he was sorry; that he hadn’t meant what he said. When Jesus finds him, He gives him a second chance. Because even when we deny Him, He always gives us chance after chance to follow Him again.

Luke 22:61-62 King James Version

61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Luke 22:57 King James Version

57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

Luke 22:58 King James Version

58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

Who’s in Charge of a World that Suffers? By Billy Graham

Day 1of 5:

The Reality of Suffering

Suffering is difficult to talk or write about, for it is not something that can adequately be examined outside the realm of experience. It is not abstract, nor is it philosophical. It is real and concrete. It leaves its scars. When the winds of adversity have passed, we are seldom unchanged. It is only when one has passed through a crisis event that one can truly comprehend what it means to suffer. And often it is only in retrospect that we realize the purpose and value of our suffering. 

Struggles in life can uncover untold depths of character and unknown strength for service. People who go through life unscathed by sorrow and untouched by pain tend to be shallow in their perspective on life. Suffering, on the other hand, tends to plow up the surface of our lives to uncover the depths that provide greater strength of purpose and accomplishment. Only deeply plowed earth can yield bountiful harvests. 

Pain has many faces. One can suffer physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Our difficulties are rarely confined to only one of these areas; they tend to overlap in human experiences. Some of the most intensive suffering can be psychologically induced and frequently lead to complications in the physical realm. 

There are as many invisible hurts as there are visible hurts, and there can be difficulty in diagnosing them. We know that the unseen part of man is often the victim of the most debilitating of pains. In certain circumstances, a man can endure excruciating physical pain; and yet he can be felled by one unkind word. When we hear the story of the torture inflicted upon a P.O.W., we are astounded by his personal fortitude and the resiliency of the human body. But that same man’s life can be devastated by a single viciously perpetrated act or word. 

Scripture has much to say about the power of the tongue to inflict cruelty. The psalmist says that bitter words are like deadly arrows. James wrote: “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body” (James 3:5, 6). 

Man is capable of great victories and susceptible to great defeats. Man is both strong and sensitive. As the psalmist exclaimed, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14). 

In earnest we must endeavor to apply this sensitivity when dealing with the matter of suffering, especially as we consider the sufferings of others. We cannot feel someone else’s pain. We can see the anguish in his face and try to empathize. But we do not have his nerve endings. We cannot fully know the magnitude of his anguish. We must never minimize the suffering of another. Scripture’s mandate to us is, ‘‘Weep with them that weep” (Rom. 12:15, kjv).

Our physical sufferings express a great truth. As C. S. Lewis cogently penned, “Pain . . . plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul.”1 The truth is this—man’s body is mortal, temporal. Man must look beyond himself to find immortality. 

Suffering is one of God’s ways of speaking to us, of awakening us to our need of Him, and calling us to Himself. To quote C. S. Lewis again: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”2 If our suffering leads us to God, it has become a blessed and precious friend. 

We are indebted to modern medical science for the tremendous strides made in finding cures for so many diseases and harnessing others. And yet pain is still with us. Many of you know the reality of cancer, strokes, heart attacks, birth defects, auto injuries. Many of you have been bedridden and racked with pain for years. Some of you are shocked by the discovery of a friend’s or relative’s terminal illness. Maybe you yourself are facing the prospect of death. Let me assure you that you do not need to face your situation alone. God wants to comfort and help you. 

Some suffering comes as a natural result of the deterioration of the body. Some forms of physical suffering are inflicted upon us by others. 

There may come a day when we Americans will undergo intense persecution for our faith. Are you prepared to face martyrdom? Jesus gave His life for you. You may be called to give your life for Him. God has many precious promises for those who suffer for Christ. 

Respond

What might a “bountiful harvest” as a result of suffering look like?

How have you seen God’s work manifest itself in your life during or following times of deep suffering? 

What is meant by “The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body” (as described in James 3:5,6)? How does this impact the way you relate to others who are suffering?

How do the promises of God set forth in Scripture impact how you relate to God while walking through hard times?

Romans 12:15 King James Version

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Psalm 139:14 King James Version

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.