Day 286 - Be Aware that God is Good

Julie Austin


“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it. 26 Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” - Romans 8:18-30 NASB

In 2007, a state senator from Nebraska decided to sue God. Ernie Chambers sought a permanent injunction ordering God to cease certain harmful activities and the making of terrorist threats. According to this lawsuit, God had caused fearsome floods, egregious earthquakes, horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes, pestilential plagues, ferocious famines, devastating droughts, genocidal wars, birth defects, and the like. When God failed to show up to the trial, the judge dismissed the case. Chambers argued that God is omniscient, so He should have seen it coming. Chambers knew his lawsuit was absurd, but that did not prevent him from pursuing it.

We live in a world where innocent people often suffer. We often blame God for causing the suffering or at least being absent when bad things occur. The reality is we live in a fallen world. Romans 8:22 says, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God in the Garden of Eden, the relationship between God and man was altered. Blaming God for causing suffering is as absurd as bringing a lawsuit against Him.

It is in our nature to want to understand why things out of our control happen. Rather than seek answers, God wants us to trust Him. He has a plan for us. According to Jeremiah 29:11, His plans for us are good. The terrible things we witness and experience in life cause us to question God’s faithfulness and His love for us. The truth is that God’s glory is so much greater than any suffering we have to endure (Romans 8:18).

Senator Chambers failed to recognize God as loving, caring, and compassionate. Instead, he focused on the circumstances and sufferings of life. Because of this, Chambers missed out on an opportunity to have a relationship with God. He was blind to God’s promise that “all things work together for the good to those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). God is not causing or ignoring our suffering, nor is He absent during our moments of weakness and pain.


Next Steps

  • Think about it: Is the pain and suffering of this world causing you to question God’s goodness?

  • Action Step: Ask God to reveal to you how His goodness and glory is greater than the suffering we witness or experience. Pray for those who suffer. Seek opportunities to comfort and help those who are hurting and in need.