"Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
~ Luke 13:4-5 (NKJV)
"If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you."
~ Exodus 15:26 (NKJV)
"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned... For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
~ Luke 6:37-38 (NKJV)
The depravity for which New Orleans is infamous fueled plenty of remarks that Hurricane Katrina was a judgment of God. While I don't dispute a likely connection, I'm also careful to "judge not" lest I also be judged—whether for personal or collective sin.
The Bible makes numerous references to disease, disaster, famine (economic hardship) and violence being God's judgment for sin to provoke repentance. The Bible also gives many examples of suffering which have other purposes, Job being a prominent example.
If we are experiencing hardship, it is prudent to seek the Lord to understand the purpose of our testing—whether repentance-inducing, character-building (augh!), or faith-building. When someone else experiences hardship, we can pray for them and encourage them in numerous ways, while still refraining from the judgment or condemnation we ourselves hope to avoid.
Lord, all Your ways are perfect. We have violated your ways and suffer as a result. We surely never suffer what our many sins deserve. Please give us discernment for how to respond to suffering. Please help us to judge not when another suffers, but to leave all judgment in Your hand.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Anne, thank you for this wonderful post. I look forward to your new post everyday. The Holy Spirit fills me with new knowledge each time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your wisdom.
ReplyDeleteIt's always a lot easier to see a hardship as God's testing when it happens to someone else. Not so easy when it happens to me, though. I really needed this.
ReplyDeleteYour posts are quickly becoming my devotionals each day...
T. Anne & Billy, I'm truly blessed to know these messages are worthwhile to you on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteT. Anne, I appreciate the writing links you offer.
Billy, I likewise look forward to your posts. They always make me smile, at least at first. By the time I hit the end they can prove to be more challenging than what I want. ;-)
And Denise ... I don't know how to respond to that. Any wisdom here is from God, who gives it liberally to those who seek it (James 1:5).
ReplyDelete