Why does God allow so much suffering in the world? And is he doing anything about it? The Bible doesn’t answer all of our questions about why God allows suffering. But it does tell us a story about how God responds to human suffering. We learn that God has chosen to partner with humans to deliver communities from suffering, and that he chose to enter our pain by becoming human himself. Jesus took up the worst of human suffering, shoved it into a grave, and rose again to give us a new future––one that’s free of injustice and grief. Yes, our questions around suffering are valid. God hears us and understands our pain. Today, let’s tune into the question God has for us. As we face suffering in the world, will we partner with him to be a part of his solution?
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Why does God allow so much suffering in the world? And is he doing anything about it? The Bible doesn’t answer all of our questions about why God allows suffering. But it does tell us a story about how God responds to human suffering. We learn that God has chosen to partner with humans to deliver communities from suffering, and that he chose to enter our pain by becoming human himself. Jesus took up the worst of human suffering, shoved it into a grave, and rose again to give us a new future––one that’s free of injustice and grief. Yes, our questions around suffering are valid. God hears us and understands our pain. Today, let’s tune into the question God has for us. As we face suffering in the world, will we partner with him to be a part of his solution?
Bible Reading
2 Kings 25:8-12, 27-30
Reflection Questions
- What is one way your community is suffering now?
- Consider God’s character of justice, mercy, and love. How does he want to comfort and restore your community?
- What is one step you can take this week to join God’s plan of restoration?
Want to Go Deeper?
Check out this episode's Bible study to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion.
Show Credits
- Host: Cheree Hayes
- Message: Dr. Tim Mackie
- Bible Reading: Michelle Jones
- Production: Dan Gummel
- Theme music: Grant William Harold
- Background Music: Calme by Borrtex
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Reflect
Once you've listened to the podcast, take time to reflect on these questions.
- What is one way your community is suffering now?
- Consider God’s character of justice, mercy, and love. How does he want to comfort and restore your community?
- What is one step you can take this week to join God’s plan of restoration?
Go Deeper
If you would like to dive deeper, use these Scriptures and questions for personal study or small group discussion.
The Bible doesn’t answer all of our questions about why God allows suffering, but it does tell us a story about how God responds to human suffering. God has chosen to partner with humans to deliver communities from suffering, and he chose to enter our pain by becoming human himself. Jesus took up the worst of human suffering, shoved it into a grave, and rose again to give us a new future—one that’s free of injustice and grief. But our questions around suffering are still valid. God hears us and understands our pain. Today, let’s tune into the question God has for us. As we face suffering in the world, will we partner with him to be a part of his solution?
Feel free to reflect on all the questions, or just a few right now. You can also reflect throughout the week by focusing on one question per day.
Message Question
How did Tim’s message challenge or encourage you today?
Read: 2 Kings 25:8-12, 2 Kings 25:27-30, Romans 8:22-39
- The Babylonian captivity was full of chaos and sorrow. Today’s readings from 2 Kings offer small glimpses of hope that show how God was not done blessing his people. How do these moments of hope point to the blessing God would one day make full for his people?
- Review today’s passage from Romans. What are some of the hopes we have in the midst of our suffering? How did God show us his love through his own suffering?
- What is one way your community is suffering right now?
- As you observe and grieve the suffering around you, what are some glimpses of hope you notice?
- Consider God’s character of justice, mercy, and love. How does he want to comfort and restore your community?
- What is one step you can take this week to reflect God’s character and join in his plan of restoration for your community?
- Turn your reflections into a prayer now. Point out areas of pain and glimpses of hope in your community. Ask for hope to expand and for all his restoration plans to be done on earth as it is in heaven.