Why Does God Allow Some of His Servants To Suffer So Grievously?

Pastor George McGuinness

I have been asked more frequently of late why does God allow some of His saints to undergo such extreme mental, physical, emotional and spiritual trials? The honest answer is “I do not know” and the Bible would have us take up this position yet it also gives us directions to follow and challenges to face if and when we are led into that dark, lonesome valley.

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law—DEUTERONOMY 29:29.

Every kingdom has its secrets. How foolish it would be for President Bush to instruct his CIA chief to call a conference every Monday morning to tell the world what they had discovered in the past week and how they were going to deal with it. Without secrets no kingdom can survive.

• Job wrestled with lack of knowledge yet not lack of faith.

Then Job replied: Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say. Would he oppose me with great power? No, he would not press charges against me. There an upright man could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge. But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face—JOB 23:1-17 (NIV).

Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment? Why must those who know him look in vain for such days? Men move boundary stones; they pasture flocks they have stolen. They drive away the orphan’s donkey and take the widow’s ox in pledge. They thrust the needy from the path and force all the poor of the land into hiding. Like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go about their labor of foraging food; the wasteland provides food for their children. They gather fodder in the fields and glean in the vineyards of the wicked. Lacking clothes, they spend the night naked; they have nothing to cover themselves in the cold. They are drenched by mountain rains and hug the rocks for lack of shelter. The fatherless child is snatched from the breast; the infant of the poor is seized for a debt. Lacking clothes, they go about naked; they carry the sheaves, but still go hungry. They crush olives among the terraces; they tread the winepresses, yet suffer thirst. The groans of the dying rise from the city, and the souls of the wounded cry out for help. But God charges no one with wrongdoing—JOB 24:1-12 (NIV).

• Paul enjoyed both knowledge and faith.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me—2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-9.

• 1. It is the will of God.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known—MATTHEW 10:22-26.

All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you—JOHN 16:1-4 (NIV).

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world—John 16:33.

How can we question a kind Providence that never has failed? William Cowper, who suffered periodically from mental disorders, could write;

Ye fearful saints fresh courage take;
         The clouds you so much dread
         Are big with mercy, and shall break
         In blessings on your head.
         His Purposes will ripen fast,
         Unfolding every hour;
         The bud may have a bitter taste
         But sweet will be the flower.

• 2. It should be a sanctifying experience.

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold—JOB 23:10.

…that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ—1 PETER 1:6,7.

This is a great Biblical concept. Our faith is like gold that is cast into the fire. Fire cannot destroy the gold but it does separate it from the dross. The fire enhances the value of the gold. It purifies our faith. It causes it to be possessed of an added luster.

And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuff dishes, of pure gold—EXODUS 37:23.

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks—REVELATION 1:18-21.

The reason for the conflict and chastisement of the seven churches and especially their Pastors was that their faith might be firmer, and that their testimony might be brighter. Thus it has been with all of God’s saints and so will it be with us.

• Joseph saw this.

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive—GENESIS 50:20.

Yet it must be acknowledged that chastisements do come as the result of sin in the believer’s life.

Paul speaks of this in his letter to the Corinthians.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus—1 CORTHIANS 5:4-5.

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world—1 CORTHIANS 11:29-32.

Chastisement does not mean total rejection by the Lord but that by discipline our souls may be purged from the malady of sin.

Nevertheless we must also remember that not all ailments or accidents are caused by sin. Jesus exposed this fallacy in his healing of the man born blind.

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him—JOHN 9:1-3.

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word…It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes—PSALM 119:67,71.

Let us therefore be slow to speak when something of this nature befalls someone we are acquainted with because we should always be thinking primarily of the spiritual good that will eventually come and the glory of God.

• 3. It is a platform for us to display the sympathy of Christ in a practical fashion.

One of the reasons why God allows some of His dear servants to endure is that we might share in their suffering and prove our faith by our works.

Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations—LUKE 22:28.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort—2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7. (NIV)

Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church—COLOSSIANS 1:24. (NIV)

Fellowship is interaction. Fellowship cannot be passive. Fellowship is bearing one another’s burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ. Fellowship is putting feet to our affections and acting in a practical manner towards those who are less fortunate than we. The story of the Good Samaritan exemplifies this.

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise—LUKE 10:29-37.

Are we going to be like the priest or the Levite who passed by on the other side or are we going to be like the Good Samaritan who interrupted his journey and immediately set about to staunch the wounds, and carry the victim to safety? God is asking, “What are you going to do about it?”

• The New Testament gives us some sterling examples and exhortations.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber…When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them—ACTS 9:36-39.

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work—1 TIMOTHY 5:9-10.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth—I JOHN 3:16-18.

• 4. It is a message sent to us to prepare for such eventualities.

I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go—JOHN 21:18. (NIV)

This is a verse that should give us all pause for thought. Long, lingering illness is not something we look forward to but the experience we have of this life proves that it is a distinct possibility for some of us. We have already seen in our own circle of friends those who were active suddenly becoming bed-ridden and in need of constant attention. No one can say that they are exempt from such a possibility. With the advent of modern science more and more adults are living much longer but not necessarily with active lifestyles. Homebound is not something we care to contemplate. Nursing Home is a word that fills us with horror yet it is a distinct possibility for some. The most careful planning cannot always avoid the onslaught of these things.

When Abraham was given the promise of the land did he expect to live so long in tents? Did Joseph consider that his dream of coronation would mean such a long time in prison? Did David ever expect that His own son would chase him from his own bed and cause him to escape to the wilderness?

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth—PROVERBS 27:1.

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that—JAMES 4:13-15.

• 5. How then do we prepare for the unseen eventualities in this precarious existence?

We, therefore, must use the means of grace now because in that evil day it will not be available. By using the means of grace we mean regular attendance at the Lord’s house at the various appointed times with opportunities for worship, prayer, Bible study and practical help. Homebound friends and nursing home patients no longer enjoy these privileges. This is the time of harvest. If we willfully neglect the house of God today we will sorely miss it in the future. A minute carelessly missed will in the future feel like an hour. An hour frivolously lost to God’s house will feel like a week and week lost in idleness and absence from God’s house will feel like a month and a month will feel like a year. If we do not bring home the goodness of God to our souls today there may be lean tomorrows. It is now that we need to be storing up towards that day of trial.

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame—PROVERBS 10:5.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest—ECCLESIASTES 9:10.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light—ROMANS 13:10-12.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord—1 CORINTHIANS 15:55-58.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching—HEBREWS 10:24-25.

The “day” that is approaching is normally understood to be the return of Christ. There is some argument that such is not the meaning but that it can be translated the day of further adversity. Every hour we steal from God we will come to regret. Every day stolen from His service brings its true loss. Stolen minutes from God’s service will meet their day of accountability.

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners—MARK 14:40-41.

Time wasted is time that is irrecoverable. Time redeemed is time multiplied.

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD—PSALM 122:1.

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness—PSALM 84:10.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations—PSALM 100:2-5.

As long as you can drag one foot behind another you ought to make every determined effort to attend the house of God. If you give in to self-pity and self-serving one day you will regret it more than you can say.

• 6. It is to be used as a witness to others of God’s grace in salvation.

This of course is governed by our physical and mental condition but where it is possible the opportunity should be taken. Our attitude towards and our reception of the illness or accident can speak volumes when our spoken testimony is rejected.

Mrs. Dickerson of Nashville, Tennessee was enjoying a good life with an excellent job and the opportunity to play golf at least twice a week. Her husband was saved by the grace of God and she would accompany her husband to church on occasion. Evidently God was working in her heart because even when her husband was out of town on business she would be found in the pew on Sunday. Later she was found by the Lord and joined her husband as regular worshippers in the house of God. Everything in their life was proceeding nicely when illness struck with a vengeance. She was taken to Washington, DC where she had part of her brain stem removed. A series of mini strokes incapacitated her greatly. Other serious business problems raised their ugly head causing a distraction from the task of caring for Lisa but their faith was strong though severely tested. Life has changed drastically for Eddie and Lisa but they have shown to the world the maintaining grace of God. This past Christmas Lisa wrote this letter to the best of her ability and through it her faith shines through. (This letter is untouched.)

Hello,
I vaguely remember last Christmas. I spent it at Baptist Hospital. Seven days before Christmas I was able to come home, but confined to the bed and Wheelchair, but the Lord has blessed me in many ways by giving strength and courage and hard work I am able to walk with a cane. I have many plans with Gods help I will improve. My mothers death May 23 has brought my stepfather closer than ever, is the Lord good.

I have been able to participate this Christmas Season in shopping and decorating. The assisted Living facility I go every day is next door to Eddies office. They recently made me a volunteer which very much. It gives me something to do and makes me feel useful and the place is great. It has provided me so many friends. Our Lord is gracious He has blessed me in so many ways.

Wishing you great Holiday season and a happy New Year.
Have Faith in Christ,
Lisa Dickerson

Tommie and Thelma Anderson live in Richmond, Virginia. They are another dear couple who have been through the fires many times and their testimony is well worth recording. Tommy has been the pastor of the local Baptist Church for most of his adult life. Tommy is unique in that some people might call him a dwarf. He is not a dwarf but one who was struck with illness in his childhood and from that day he has never gained any height. In more recent years they have been assailed by numerous ailments and Tommy has undergone many operations yet they have remained faithful to God. This New Year Thelma wrote this letter that should inspire and challenge us all.

JANUARY 1. 2001
Dear Family and Friends,
The year 2000 is one that we will never forget, due in part to the blood clot (in the lung) that hospitalized me (Thelma) in April. Never having been so ill before, it was difficult to cope with the months of inability to function normally, while others took care of my household responsibilities and a nurse came in to change Tommy’s wafer (the result of cancer surgery in June of 1999).

But without all that I never would have learned that our LORD could take care of Tommy without me! Until then I had been under the illusion that I was indispensable to his care!

Neither would we have witnessed the LORD’s faithfulness to us in these “new” ways, nor such an abundant outpouring of love and prayer from family and friends — indeed, many people of whom we had never heard before!

We have also been blessed in that all of Tommy’s cancer checks have been good.

At this point in time the doctors are watching Tommy’s anemia, diabetes, sleep apnea, glaucoma, cataracts, swollen kidneys, and the blockage in the intestines caused by scar tissue from the surgery.

December marked not only 41 years of ministry in the church here, but the end of another 4-year course in the Institute. At 69, and with all of his physical problems, Tommy doesn’t feel that he should commit himself for another 4-year endeavor. So he enters 2001 with the usual ministry schedule—four messages a week. Our desire for 2001 is to continue to serve the LORD as He guides and enables us, and we’re asking Him to cause us to be aware of His faithfulness all along the way. As most of you know, He has seen us through some difficult times in the past few years.

May He Who is able “to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph.3:2O) bless you richly in the year to come!

With love,
Tommy and Thelma

Another young wife writes this unsolicited testimony. Her husband has been struck by a number of strokes resulting in the loss of his long-term memory and is totally dependent on his wife and family to assist him in every detail of his life.

“As one may know who has taken care of their loved one, God’s grace and just knowing that we’re in His presence, is the substantial power that enables us to cope and function day to day.

As minute as it may be, and I do believe one of the hardest lessons for me to learn was to be content in any situation. God’s mercy and grace is abundant. At the most down times, knowing His presence, clinging to His hand or just receiving encouraging words from someone has caused me to rejoice and praise His name. Our God is real and knows our every need.

I know without asking that you will continue to lift us up before the Master and give Him praise for His loving care.”

With love,
Betty.

These testimonies could be multiplied but they should serve to warn, challenge and comfort because not one of us can guarantee what tomorrow might bring.

• 7. It should be a means of weaning us from the things of this world and cause us to look more towards heaven.

Sorrows, trials, afflictions and the like should be a means of educating us to the prospect of heaven. This world is not our home. We are pilgrims and strangers whose city and citizenship is in another realm. Our mind should be centered on things invisible and not in the passing entities of this life. Jesus reminded the Pharisees,

…Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s—MATTHEW 22:21.”

Jesus also reminded Pilate,

My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice—JOHN 18:36-37.

Paul also reminded the Corinthian believers,

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal—2 CORINTHIANS 4:14-18.

Every day we should remind our souls that some things are “of the world.” They always have been and always will be. Although we have responsibilities in and to this Old World our primary allegiance is to heaven. Too often we lose sight of this fact and we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by anxieties that none of us can solve. We will never make this Old World a better place to live but can only hope by God’s grace to make better people whose hopes, like ours, will not be fixed on this passing scene but one above. Why would we want to renovate this Old World when we know that it will have to wait till the Divine day of reckoning and renovation? Patching up a house built on sand will be seen as folly.

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body—ROMANS 8:20-23.

And again,

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness—2 PETER 3:10-13.

Let us ever remind ourselves of the words of the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son—REVELATION 21:3-7.

It is to this glorious blood-bought prospect that our eyes should be looking. Should not our mind be running through the words of the song written by the consumptive and soon to die Robert Murray McCheyne?

When I stand before thy throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
Then Lord shall I fully know,
Not till then how much I owe.