[DallasMike]

The rain falls on the just and the unjust.

I addressed this topic at my blogsite last night. Here's an excerpt:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:18-23 listen)

God sometimes chooses to heal us and protect us from suffering, but other times he chooses to let us suffer. It sounds like a horrible thing, but God tells us that he has plans that we can't even understand. The book of Job chronicles the immense sufferings of a good and righteous man. He lost his family, except for his wife, his friends and servants, and his health. Yet through it all, he never cursed God. God was silent to Job's pleadings and questions, but finally spoke to him and told Job that his plans for Job's life were higher than Job's plans for his own life.

[Quix]

EXCEEDINGLY WELL PUT.

Thanks for the comment and the link.

[DarthVader]

The Holy Spirit gave me Romans 8 to read yesterday!

[Dr. Eckleburg]

...God tells us that he has plans that we can't even understand

Amen.

"Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,

And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.

Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.

The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.

I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.

When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD." -- Jonah 2:1-9