Why?

Recently our Church lost its long term and godly pastor to a protracted battle with cancer. The Church leadership and congregation had prayed fervently for his healing. God did not see fit to grant our request. This has led some to naturally question, "Why?"

Turning to the Word of God we find a passage that relates to this situation. John chapter eleven records the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. What occurred before that is particularly apropos.

Lazarus became ill and his sisters, Martha and Mary, sent word to Jesus that "the one you love is sick (v3). God does not need to be informed of anything but he does invite us to pray--to bring our requests before the throne. In this matter the Lord clearly knew about Lazarus' condition through his omniscience (as evidenced by his remarks to his disciples) and the message sent by the sisters. So the first point is that he knew.

Secondly, it is clear from the text that Lazarus was Christ's friend who he dearly loved (v5, v36). Jesus frequently visited the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus while in Jerusalem. These individuals were very special people to the Lord. This relationship with him though did not prevent sickness and death.

Thirdly, it is apparent from the Scriptures that he could have healed Lazarus. The Gospels record many miraculous signs by the Master. If he did this for others, why did he not grant their request for healing? This is what many wrestle with when prayers appear to go unanswered.

The sisters confronted Jesus when he arrived in Bethany and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died" (v21,v32). Why did he tarry in coming and why didn't he heal his friend Lazarus? Jesus clearly loved and cared about them (v33,v35,v38).

I believe we find the answers to these questions in the Bible. In this case, Jesus definitely had something better in mind that was a great benefit for his disciples (see v15,v40). When he raised Lazarus from the dead, he did something far greater than just heal him!

It is not always revealed to us what the "something better" (Hebrews 11:40) is going to be but Romans 8:28 promises us that "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Believe this and be comforted.

Passing Through Difficult Times

God’s relationship with Israel in Biblical times provides us with insight into His relationship with His people today. God is portrayed in Isaiah 43:1-3 as Creator, Redeemer and Protector. “But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’”

God states that He created and formed Israel. God created (to make from nothing) His people through the call of Abraham and formed a nation by allowing them to experience tribulation and difficult times. Israel suffered in bondage in Egypt, wandered in the wilderness and struggled with her enemies during the occupation of the promised land. Through these hard times, God was molding a people He brought into existence. Likewise, God uses tribulation today to form and shape individuals. Life’s greatest lessons are often learned through difficult experience (see Romans 5:3-5 & I Corinthians 10:13).

Having created and formed Israel, God also claimed that He redeemed (means to buy back) them. This was necessary because mankind, being sinful, wanders from and rebels against God. He calls us, by name, back to Himself. The New Testament makes it plain that He has redeemed us through the death of His son Jesus Christ on the cross. When we accept by faith Christ’s payment for our sins and respond in obedience to His call, we experience redemption. God is then not only our Creator and Redeemer but he also becomes our Protector.

References are made in these verses to God’s acts of protection when the children of Israel passed through the water of Red Sea to escape the army of Egypt’s Pharoah. They also crossed through the Jordan River when they entered Canaan and the three Hebrew children were delivered from the fire of Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace in Babylon.

Notice that belonging to God does not preclude difficulties and suffering. What God does promise is to be with us during those times of trials. The Author of Hebrews quoted Moses’ words of comfort to Israel and its leader Joshua: “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).