Ask The Pastor

By Pastor Scott Denham of Harvest Fellowship, Shambaugh, IA

 

Is God Good? Part 2

 

       In last week’s column, J.D. had asked, “If God loves us so much, then why do bad things happen?” I gave a number of reasons, and yet, being such a large issue, I wanted to give one more response to the subject.

       First, we do not accurately see eternity the way God sees it. We’ve never been to heaven, and immortality is a bit foreign to us.  We see our sickness and painful circumstances. God sees it as a brief moment in time, through which He has promise to help us, if we will but look to Him.

       That’s why Paul the apostle, in 2 Corinthians 11, who, for preaching the gospel, had been whipped, beaten, stoned (with rocks!), and imprisoned. Apart from that, he had gone hungry, been sick, stressed, abandoned, and more, yet, with eternal optimism, calls it a “momentary & light affliction” [2 Corinthians 4:17].

       He had the eternal perspective. He wasn’t looking for every comfort “down here.” He knew heaven to be his true country. He knew God would be with him through the difficulties, and could even use them to work good in his life.

       Secondly, the ability to throw off our limited, earthly perception, and to take on this optimistic, forward-looking perspective, is called... are you ready for this?... FAITH!

       Faith is able to see beyond one’s narrow vantage point and to see grand vistas of possibility. Hebrews 11:1 says that; “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Faith is not just some mindless blind acceptance, but appeals to the mind and reason. It is reasonable to conclude through observing the marvel of all creation, that there is a God of vast power and great goodness. Think about that the next time the sun rises.

    --Pastor Scott

To submit your question for Pastor Scott, you may write to: Ask The Pastor, PO Box 98, Shambaugh, IA 51651, or on the web at www.askpastorscott.com