Suffering & Hard Questions

WELL, GOD SAYS…

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

ROMANS 5:12

Read in Context

Paul traces death’s entrance into the human world to Adam’s sin, then contrasts Adam’s trespass with the grace given through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:12–21). Genesis 3 describes a creation subjected to sorrow and death. This does not mean every particular hardship is punishment for a person’s specific sin. Romans 8:20–23 says creation groans while awaiting deliverance. Scripture does not explain every painful event, but it reveals both why the world is broken and God’s purpose to redeem through Christ. His promised new creation will be free from death and sorrow.

Read Further in Scripture: Genesis 3:16–19; Romans 5:12–21; Romans 8:18–25; Revelation 21:1–5

WELL, GOD SAYS…

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

JOHN 11:25

Read in Context

Jesus speaks to Martha after the death of her brother Lazarus (John 11:17–27). He does not disclose a complete explanation for every death; He reveals Himself as the resurrection and the life, calling Martha to believe. He also weeps at the tomb (John 11:35). Death belongs to our fallen condition, yet it does not have the last word for those who believe in Christ. His own resurrection secures the hope He promises. Grief is real, and Scripture directs the grieving to the Savior rather than to speculation about the reason for a particular loss.

Read Further in Scripture: John 11:17–44; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:20–26; Revelation 21:4

WELL, GOD SAYS…

“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

PSALM 34:18

Read in Context

Psalm 34 is David’s testimony to the LORD’s goodness and deliverance. He calls the afflicted to seek and fear the LORD, not to assume they will never face trouble (Psalm 34:17–19). Nearness does not mean every sorrow ends immediately. For those who have come to Christ, Hebrews 4:14–16 reveals a merciful High Priest who understands infirmity and invites believers to draw near for grace. The Lord is not indifferent to brokenhearted people. His Word directs us to seek Him rather than interpret His presence by the absence of pain.

Read Further in Scripture: Psalm 34:17–22; Hebrews 4:14–16; Romans 8:35–39; 2 Corinthians 1:3–5

WELL, GOD SAYS…

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”

1 JOHN 5:14

Read in Context

John is writing to believers whose confidence rests in God’s Son (1 John 5:11–15). He does not promise that every request will be granted as we desire; he speaks of asking according to God’s will. Paul pleaded three times for his thorn in the flesh to depart, yet the Lord answered by promising sufficient grace rather than removing it (2 Corinthians 12:7–10). Scripture also warns that cherished sin obstructs prayer, but an ungranted request is not proof that someone has sinned. God’s wisdom, not our preferred outcome, governs His answer.

Read Further in Scripture: 1 John 5:11–15; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; Psalm 66:18; Matthew 6:9–13

WELL, GOD SAYS…

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

ROMANS 3:23

Read in Context

Paul’s verdict includes every human being; calling oneself a Christian does not make one incapable of sin. But Scripture never excuses hypocrisy as unavoidable. Jesus directly rebukes the person who condemns another while refusing to confront his own sin (Matthew 7:1–5). Some profess Christ without truly belonging to Him (Matthew 7:21–23), and genuine believers must not use grace as permission to live falsely. The conduct of professing Christians ought to be examined by God’s Word; Christ Himself, who is without sin, remains the measure of truth.

Read Further in Scripture: Romans 3:9–26; Matthew 7:1–5, 21–23; 1 John 1:5–10; Hebrews 4:15

WELL, GOD SAYS…

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

PSALM 118:8

Read in Context

Psalm 118 contrasts the LORD’s faithful help with unreliable human strength. Harm done by people who profess to follow Christ should not be minimized or defended merely because it occurred in a church. Jesus Himself warns against false teachers, and Scripture calls believers to deal truthfully with sin. Yet another person’s wrongdoing does not make the Lord unfaithful. Hebrews 12:2 directs believers to look unto Jesus, not to the perfection of men. You need not excuse wrongdoing or place yourself in harm’s way in order to consider what Christ has said.

Read Further in Scripture: Psalm 118:5–9; Jeremiah 17:5–8; Matthew 7:15–20; Hebrews 12:1–3

WELL, GOD SAYS…

“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

JOHN 20:29

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

JOHN 20:31

Read in Context

Thomas demanded to see the risen Lord, and Jesus answered him (John 20:24–29). Jesus then spoke of those who would believe without seeing Him personally. John immediately explains that he has written selected signs so readers might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Biblical faith is not a leap into an unexamined feeling. It responds to God’s testimony concerning His Son. Romans 10:17 likewise connects faith with hearing the Word of God. The question is whether we will receive the witness God has given.

Read Further in Scripture: John 20:24–31; Romans 10:14–17; Hebrews 11:1–6; 1 Peter 1:8–9

WELL, GOD SAYS…

“When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.”

PSALM 73:16–17

Read in Context

Asaph begins Psalm 73 troubled by the apparent prosperity of the wicked and even admits envying them (verses 2–12). His understanding changes when he considers their end before God. Temporary ease is not evidence of divine approval or escape from judgment. Ecclesiastes 8:11–13 similarly recognizes that judgment may not come quickly, yet insists that the fear of God matters. Scripture calls us to see beyond what is immediately visible. God’s final judgment will be righteous, even when the present distribution of prosperity seems deeply unequal.

Read Further in Scripture: Psalm 73:1–28; Ecclesiastes 8:10–13; Romans 2:5–11; Acts 17:30–31