Are You Disappointed in God?

WHY IS THERE SUFFERING?

To understand why there is suffering, we should go back to the time when it started. Induced by a rebellious angel, later called Satan the Devil, Adam and Eve rejected God's standards of right and wrong as represented by the command for them to refrain from eating of  "the tree of the knowledge of good and bad."  The Devil told Eve that they would not die if they disobeyed God, thus accusing God of being a liar. Satan also accused God of withholding from his subjects the right to determine good and bad.  (Genesis 2:17; 3:1-6) Satan implied that mankind would be better off without God's rulership. All of this raised an issue of vital importance-Was God fit to rule? 

The Devil raised yet another issue. He accused humans of serving God with selfish motives. About faithful Job, the Devil said to God: "Have you not put up a protective hedge around him and his house and everything he has? .  . .But, for a change, stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." (Job 1:10, 11)  Though Satan's words were about Job, the implication was that all humans have selfish motives for serving God.  

HOW GOD RESOLVES THE ISSUES

What would be the best way to resolve these fundamental issues once and for all?  God, who is all-wise, had the best solution-one that does not leave us feeling disappointed.  (Romans 11:33) He decided to allow humans to rule themselves for a time and let the results prove whose rulership is superior. 

The miserable conditions on earth today are clear evidence that human rulership utterly failed.  Not only have worldly governments failed to bring peace, security and happiness but they have also brought the earth to the brink of ruin.  This reinforces the fundamental truth stated in the Bible;  "It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." (Jeremiah 10:23) Only God's way  of ruling can guarantee lasting peace, happiness, and prosperity to mankind, because that is God's purpose. -Isaiah 45:18. 

How then, will God bring the human condition in line with his purpose? Recall that Jesus taught his followers to pray:  "Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10)  Yes, in due time God, through his Kingdom will remove all causes of suffering.  (Daniel 2: 44) Poverty, disease, and death will be things of the past. Regarding the poor, the Bible indicates that God "will rescue  the poor who cry for help." (Psalm 72:12-14) As for the sick, the Bible promises:  "No resident will say: 'I am sick.' " (Isaiah 33:24) Even concerning the dead ones who are in God's memory, Jesus said:  "The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out." (John 5:28, 29) What heartwarming promises!  

Next time: Are You Disappointed in God? -OVERCOMING DISAPPOINTMENT 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015