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Why do bad things happen to good people...

Job 1:21

Job said, "Naked I came forth from my mother's womb, and naked shall I go back there.  The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!"

 

I'm sure you have asked the question "Why do bad things happen to good people?" What we really mean is "Why do bad things happen to me?" The truth is good people don't have a market on bad things happening to them and neither do you. But our human nature leads us to believe that the world revolves around "ME". At first glance the book of Job is all about God allowing satan to test a man for no apparent reason. But when you take a deeper look you can see that it's a story to help us be less selfish. It's not that good or bad things happen to us because we are good or bad. Things just happen. We have no control over what is going to happen to us at any given moment. What we do have control over is how we respond to those things. Job is teaching us how to respond in both good times and bad.

 

How often have you done something momentous in your life, something really big, and thought, "Wow, look what I've done!"   In the movie Castaway, starring Tom Hanks...

John 5:44

How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?

How often have you done something momentous in your life, something really big, and thought, "Wow, look what I've done!"   In the movie Castaway, starring Tom Hanks, the title character is stuck on an island.  It becomes apparent to him that he needs warmth and shelter.  After many hours, he finally is able to make a fire.  He jumps up and points to the blaze created and shouts, "Look, I have made fire!"  Of course no one is listening as he is all alone.  Is he talking to God?  He never gave thanks to God for the knowledge or ability to make it.  I've been in situations that seemed difficult to impossible and even under my breath said, "Thank God," and even silently said a prayer.

Today's reading is a discourse from Jesus to the Jews.  He gives them four proofs of his divinity and they still don't believe.  They want to believe in each other rather than God's manifestation to them.  It's just too unbelievable for their human minds and their pride to comprehend.   Jesus explains that they should give God the praise, not necessarily one another.  It's good to give compliments to coworkers, family, friends and even strangers.  It's even more important to remember that all good things come from God, who deserves all of the praise and glory.