In Psalm 91 we read God’s promise to put angels in charge for protection wherever we go. And These angels will hold us up with their hands to keep us from hurting our feet on the stones. This promise applies to anyone turning to God for safety.
If this is true, why is there suffering?
Adam Hamilton writes in our companion book for this series, “When life does not align with our assumptions about God, we can lose faith altogether.” Certainly, when we hold God accountable for everything bad that happens, we’re likely to question God’s goodness. And this may cause us to miss out on the peace and joy that comes from a close relationship with God.
So, who’s at fault here? Does God break promises?
First, who’s at fault depends on the circumstances. There is no doubt humans are responsible for a great deal of suffering. The most obvious example is climate change. The suffering caused by climate change is the fault of human unwillingness to manage our planet as God intended.
Isn’t it interesting that Satan quotes Psalm 91 to Jesus while coaxing Him to jump off the top of the temple? Of course, Jesus didn’t fall for it. And neither should we.
Last week, our message lead us to the harmony found in pray and work. Instead of treating prayer like an order for what we want, we use the gifts and capacities God provides to do the work needed to meet our desires.
The obvious answer to climate change is to adjust our lifestyle to reduce our carbon footprint. Of course, frustration comes when we realize one person changing isn’t enough. But it’s a start. And voting for candidates running for public office with track records and promises to work for legislation that broadens our collective impact is another monumental step.
But not all suffering comes from climate change, nor is all suffering directly caused by human failure. However, suffering, because of climate change, is echoed with daily news reports of record-breaking temperatures, rainfall, violent storms and massive fires.
Health concerns rank near the top in causing suffering. Of course, climate change also negatively affects our health. According to Priya Joi, a science journalist, climate change directly affects our health. Her list includes: greater spread of insect-borne diseases, water and food scarcity, poor air quality, displacement and migration and mental health.
I have no doubt that our failure to care for our planet is sin. I also believe God isn’t punishing us with bigger and badder storms. But God isn’t shielding us from the consequences of our actions.
Hamilton writes, “Every act of unkindness, neglect, abuse, and violence; every act of cruelty and inhumanity and every war is a reflection of our brokenness and sin as human beings, and the failure of our rule over this planet God has given.”
Unkindness, neglect, abuse and violence all create suffering. War, in particular, causes vast suffering. None of this is part of God’s plan for us. Rather, the fault is human failure to live as God intended.
We will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small.
Genesis 1:20-31
Louisiana shocked the nation by passing legislation requiring that schools post the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The arguments for this action vary, as do the arguments against. Displays must include language that the commandments were a part of classroom c urriculum for three centuries.
As I read the articles and listen to the proponents explain their justification I’m skeptical. How about posters to promote care of our planet instead? Obviously, three centuries of focus wasn’t effective for our generation of leaders.
But on this topic, Hamilton points us to number 3 on the list that’s often obscured by common interpretation. I grew up with the belief that God did not want us to curse and that using God’s name for impact was strictly forbidden. While God may feel this way and this may be a good idea, it’s important not to miss the bigger picture.
The Good News Translation translates the Hebrew text this way: “Do not use God’s name for evil purposes.” When we blame God for human acts that cause suffering for others, we’re on the wrong side of this directive.
Of course, natural disasters occurred before the damage accumulated enough to change our climate, but with less frequency. And humans don’t cause every storm. Nor are earthquakes the result of human failure. Some suffering happens when there’s simply no one to blame.
For example, the complexity of our individual existence is mind-boggling, as 30 trillion cells work cooperatively to sustain life as we know it. It’s no wonder that breakdowns happen. And most of the time, our bodies adapt, fight off infections and restore order.
However, sometimes a damaged cell replicates and cancer emerges. Fortunately, medical science continues to discover ways to assist our bodies with healing. A lot of human suffering comes because of health concerns that may not be directly attributable to anything we did or didn’t do.
Nevertheless, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that cancer is oftentimes the result of human abuse of our planet’s resources and our bodies.
Our bodies are not indestructible and were not built to last forever. But our souls do.
And this is where our series on doubt begins and ends. God promises to be with us through it all and forever. Matthew tells us the birth of Jesus fulfilled the promise God made through the prophet Isaiah that a son will be born and named Immanuel, or “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is God living among us.
God’s Spirit is present everywhere and always. So even though suffering comes, it is never the last word. Jesus lived, died and lives again. Death is not the last word. God lives on and so do we. Amen.
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Pastor Tommy
Parts of our series was inspired by Adam Hamilton. Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith. Nashville: Abington Press, 2023.
Priya Joi. “Five key links between climate change and health.” © Priya Joi, March 22, 2023. Retrieved from: link