Inspiration

It Doesn’t Seem Fair

By Connie Arnold

The universal question since man learned to talk is “why do bad things happen to good people?” Then, in his human wisdom, he stands and declares, “it doesn’t seem fair!”

Man may feel vindicated in twisting his faith, or throwing it away, when his prayers aren’t readily answered. But still he senses he must uphold God’s integrity, so he tells God he’s going to let Him ‘off the hook’ for this one; just pretend the petition had never left his mouth. The prayers of others deserve attention, but his doesn’t seem to merit consideration. Such words may not be spoken, but a shrug of spiritual shoulders denies the mercy and faithfulness of Almighty God.

Author Ruth Bell Graham wrote the following piece entitled The Fools that’s included in the NIV’s WOMEN’S DEVOTIONAL BIBLE.

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ This designation goes for those who doubt God’s sovereignty as well as those who deny Him. Either He is sovereign, or He is not God. Therefore, when we become so preoccupied with, and dismayed by circumstances and certain people, that we doubt God’s ability to handle things in His own way, and in His own time, then we, too, are fools.”

Perhaps we should consider asking the antithesis to our first question: “Why do good things happen to bad people?” The psalmist noticed it: “Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches,” (Psalm 73:12, KJV).

The answer may be as simple as “…your Father in heaven, He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong,” (Matthew 5:45b, CEV). He’s put us all here on this globe with the same way of survival: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16, NIV).

Without God’s Spirit within us, we’re ‘hollow’ humans, not created to stand alone. Without His indwelling Spirit we’ll crumble under the outside pressure. Although we’re all on this spinning globe, we need not lose our balance. God promises “…I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness,” (Isaiah 41:10b, KJV).

His Word shouts out how well He knows us.  It begins with “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them,” (Psalm 139:16, KJV). Assurance follows with “I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you,” (Isaiah 46:4, KJV).

Let’s accept our earthly care package and live the blessed life with Thanksgiving.

Remember how well your mother knew you? God knows you better. Better than you know yourself.

Can we expect prayer to change things? Of course, we can; we just can’t expect to tell God what’s best for us. As God declared to His People centuries ago, He declares to us today, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” (Jeremiah 29:11, CEV).