Q: Why would God choose to intervene in some cases and not in others, i.e. sickness, poverty, etc.?
A: In the teachings of the New Testament there is this tension between “the already” and “the not yet.” Jesus said, “The Kingdom of heaven is among you.” Yet, he also instructed us to pray, “your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In his first coming, Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of Heaven. But, he did not culminate it. The Kingdom of God is seen wherever people are submitted to the King. We pray for a healing, let’s say, and sometimes God graciously grants our prayers. Other times, the person gets worse and dies. The reality is that all people in this world will eventually die. The Kingdom is not fully here yet. When Jesus returns he will establish his Kingdom in all its glory. Then, “the kingdoms of this earth will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.” There will neither be sickness or sorrow or pain. A new heaven and a new earth will be created will replace the old. Until then, we wait and live in the land of the already/not yet. We see glimpses of what is to come, but only glimpses. A miracle of healing is a signpost of what is to come. So, while it may appear God doesn’t intervene now, he will most definitely intervene later!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Why does God intervene only some times?
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6 comments:
So why doesn't Jesus come back now? Why do we have to wait? Does He like watching us go through suffering and pain?
He waits so that more people might be saved. It says in I Peter that God's "patience means salvation." If he came back today, there are lots of people who would not go with him to heaven. That's why his patience results in salvation.
No, he does not like watching us go through suffering and pain any more than a parent likes to watch their kids suffer. In his earthly ministry, Jesus went about doing good, alleviating suffering. He has now delegated that task to us, the church, his body. We must comfort the afflicted and extend healing to those who are hurting.
The problem, however, in God graciously waiting to return is the matter of someone like myself. Someone who has lost, not found, their faith.
I have had, until recently, a powerful faith. I held to my faith through a life-threatening injury, homelessness/unemployment, sorrow of losing a relationship and general life struggles. But this year, I have lost someone I loved to a suicide who was a non-believer. I have intervened on behalf of my father, who has Alzheimer's, and who was neglected by my mother. The court battles have gone in her favour, even though he was emaciated when I got him, the court has allowed her to keep the money he alone earned in their marriage, whilst I have been left paying his assisted living care and other expenses to the point of bankruptcy. In the midst of all of this I have prayed--not even for myself, but for the means to care for those I loved. The last-minute salvation of my loved one, and the ability to provide basic care needs for my dad. I left my job to care for him, now I'm without resources to care for myself, much less him. And in the midst of all of this--I have seen evil prevail and God is silent. Not a word of comfort through Scripture, not a peace-that-passes-understand through prayer and meditation. Silence. And evil prevails. If I had died a year ago, it would have been with a smile--waiting joyously to embrace the God I trusted. Now I hope he doesn't exist, because that would be better than seeing him and knowing there is no answer for what has happened, for my unanswered prayers. Not prayers answered in a way I didn't agree with--strictly unanswered prayers.
May no one ever feel the way I feel now. Faith offers hope. I have none.
Anonymous, I don't know you, but you sound lost. My heart goes out to you. The whole concept of pain and suffereing is one that is not easy to understand -- even by firm Christians. We recently lost our unborn baby, and then -- to make matters worse -- we found out it was a rare type of pregnancy that can cause cancer in the mother. But I can tell you that at one point I felt like the grief and pain and sadness would suffocate me. It got very bad. Then, I "happened" to hear a sermon one day -- and I realized that I hadn't TRULY given the burden to God. Once that burden was given to God (along with the control over all that happens to me), I literally felt like God was embracing me. A peace like nothing I've ever known overcame me, and I was stronger. Suddenly, I had a thirst to know God's character....to continue to feel Him, know Him. It didn't go away. I felt happy inside even when things weren't going my way on the outside. It was incredible. You're probably wondering how this helps you. It helps you because I think you should not pray about your PHYSICAL/WORLDLY situation -- but that God will help you see clearly what it is you need to work on YOURSELF. Remember, sin separates us from God. You can't call on God's help while you're being blocked by sin. If you ask God, he WILL answer! It might not be in YOUR way or on YOUR timing, but He looks out for the good of those who love Him. Once you let go and let God, TRUST ME, you will be happier and more content....even when the world fails you. God refines us through the fire!! He works from the inside out! He wants you to have eternal success, and not necessarily success in this earth/world (which is controled by Satan, by the way). God says in the Bible that even we, as EVIL people (we ALL are), know how to love our family, spouses or children. Then, He says, "How much more then can your Heavenly Father love you?"
I will pray for you. I hope God blessed you and brings you clarity and comfort!
On the note of Jesus waiting for more people to be saved: Doesn't that lead then to an infinite amount of time until he returns. Unless however the human population is diminished to a number low enough for Jesus to feel comfortable with the percentages of people not being saved.
My daughter was divorced in 2010 because her husband did not want to deal with things anymore. Their oldest son has ADHD and can lose control. He has since married and wants his son to have more medication. We have prayed and prayed for God's will be done and it seems like things just get worse and worse. I can not pray anymore because He doesnot answer and if He does it is always on the side of her ex-husband. I have no faith in Him because I think he has favorites. Some of us are just here to wing it ourselves
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