Tragedy, why?!

It is always a joy and a privilege to be able to attend a church where the Word of God is preached unashamedly, and powerfully. This evening was no different. Our message was brought to us by Bro. Jason of Rotorua, and it felt as though the sermon was crafted just for me.

Yesterday, while at work, I overheard a conversation between two of my colleagues concerning a very difficult and tragic period in the life of one of them. The mans daughter (only about 5 or 6 years old at the time) developed a type of cancer. Not only that, but the particular version of the disease is one that doctors have never seen in a girl that age. In fact, it is so rare, that it is only expected to ever develop in men above the age of 40!

This little girl required surgery to attempt to save her life, and as she was wheeled to the operating theater, her father had no idea if he would ever see his little girl alive again. This heart-broken father kissed his child for what he thought was quite possibly the last time.

Despite the seeming hopelessness, his daughter survived and is now a healthy and very much alive 10 year old. This man has been blessed of God- he was permitted to keep the child he loves so dearly. This, you may say, is all the reason in the world to drop to your knees in thanksgiving to Almighty God! However, this man has chosen to deny the existence of the Living God on the grounds that, if He did indeed exist, He would not allow such a devastating and tragic thing to happen- especially to one so young.

I did not become involved in the conversation, I didn't really know what to say. It was a question I had never really considered before- why does God allow such things? But tonight's sermon has helped me to look at this from a new (Biblical) perspective.

Generally, God does not cause these things to happen (He may, on occasion use something like this to test one of His children), rather, it is due to the sin of man that these things come about. Before the fall of man, there was no sickness, nor pain, or even death. To blame God is a fallacy- it is mans own doing. He has brought it upon himself.

While I may take this evenings message and expand on the study for myself, at least now I have an answer to the one who may deny the existence of my Saviour, because of an issue or experience in their life.

Romans 5:12 KJV
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: