Volume 40 Number 11 July 1998
We have looked at some of the reasons why bad things happen to good
people. When dealing with this topic the question, "Why are some people
healed and other people are not?" comes up. This is a very good and
worthy question. I wish to look at some examples pertaining to people
who were healed, delivered from their sufferings and trials and others
who were not. It is not my intention to make anyone feel guilty or
ambivalent, but to show some of the Biblical examples and inferences we
have been given to help us overcome these minor (major to us at the time,
but minor in the scope of eternity) agitations of the flesh. I hope that
this will help each of us get a better understanding of this perplexing
question that seems to taunt mankind.
To begin with, take Joseph for an example of suffering. As a
teenager he was sold into slavery by his brothers, later thrown into an
Egyptian prison for doing what was right in the eyes of God, and finally,
(some 13 years later) he was made governor over all the land of Egypt at
the age of 30. Joseph told his brothers that God had used all the bad
for good--to save the children of Israel. "But as for you, you 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) God was glorified through
all of the trials, temptations, and sufferings that Joseph patiently
endured. Joseph's faith never wavered in all the winds of oppression and
waves of depression.
What about the prophet Elisha, a godly man who served the Lord?
He raised the dead, healed the poisonous soup, but "Elisha had become
sick with the illness of which he would die" (II Kings. 13:14a, NKJ).
Consider also the apostle Paul, who was given a "thorn in the flesh."
"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the
revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure" (2 Corinthians. 12:7, NKJ). For
which Paul prayed three times that God would heal him of this suffering.
God heard Paul's prayer. God answered Paul's prayer with a loving 'no'.
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is
made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in
my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I
take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions,
in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong"
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NKJ). The thorn served Paul for his good. I cannot yet
say that I take pleasure in sufferings, but I am working on that, as I
hope that you are too. I can say that in my trials, and sufferings I am
looking for the good, God's will, and how He can be glorified through
them. Paul taught that life's predicaments can produce godly character
in us. The question is...will we allow it to?
A common thread through all of these examples of God's people is:
1) knowing that God has a plan, 2) knowing God, 3) knowing His plan, and
4) committing one's life to Him. God will see His children through the
storms of life. No matter how black the sky may appear, no matter how
hard the winds, or how high the waves may seem to be, He is there and
great is His faithfulness! Ask yourself the question, "Did the pain,
suffering, and how these people handled these trials, glorify God? If
the answer is yes, then it was all worth it.
If someone prays and is not healed, does that mean that God did
not answer their prayers? Does that mean that God is unjust? Does that
mean that God is not righteous? A resounding 'NO' to all three
questions! God sends His rain on the just and unjust, and the healing of
any individual is not in and of itself an indication of their standing in
the sight of God (Mt. 5:45).
Next month, if the Lord wills, we shall attempt to look at this
puzzling question further. Let us all pray that we will be found
glorifying God, no matter what our physical condition may be!