A Long-suffering Savior
“Why do bad things happen to good people?”
I’m pretty sure almost every one of us has had that question asked of us, or, more likely, asked it ourselves. This exact thing has been a bit of a struggle in my heart lately, especially last week after I heard the news of a my parents’ pastor’s wife (who spent over 25 years serving the Lord alongside her husband) passing away after a car accident. But it’s not just her. I hear all the time of other great men and women of God, who spent their entire lives living for the Lord, suffering with debilitating diseases, dementia, or battling with and dying of cancer and other things.
I know that God is always good. I know that His ways are higher than mine. I know that He is sovereign, omniscient, and I can trust Him. But sometimes my human heart just doesn’t understand. Why, oh why do these good, godly people who are trying to live their lives for Him suffer while murderers, child abusers, deceitful leaders and others who constantly do horrible things seem to be getting away with it? Why does it appear that God is doing nothing about it?
You might be judging me right now for saying this. And yet, perhaps, you aren’t judging because, well, you’ve thought it too. You’ve wondered the same thing. I’m simply being extremely open and honest, saying what many of us are thinking. It just doesn’t seem fair.
As I had these thoughts swirling through my head recently, the Lord reminded me of a passage of scripture that now helps me see these “unfair” situations in a slightly different light.
2 Peter 3:8-10 says:
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
First of all, it is important to note that time for God is not measured the same as it is for us. What is 1,000 years for us is like a day for Him. This means that things done in His timing may seem like “forever” to us but don’t seem that way for Him. He does everything in His time. What we think is highly overdue or late is just on time for Him.
But notice what it says next: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
God is well aware of the promises He has told us. He knows that He has said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He remembers saying, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” (Romans 12:19)
But take a look at the next sentence. He remembers His promises but is also long-suffering. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” The Lord does not want anyone dying without coming into a right relationship with Him.
When a Christian passes away, we know that their soul goes on to live forever with the Lord. But when someone leaves this world without the Lord, their soul is sentenced to eternal damnation.
Could it be that the reason some of those who do such evil things and appear to be “getting away with it” is simply that God is showing His patience to them?
Could He be giving them more time to confess their sins, turn from their wicked way, and come to a saving knowledge of Him? Could it be that, because He does not want anyone to die without Him, He is showing His compassion by giving them more opportunities to make the same decision those other godly people made in their lives?
However, as we see in the third verse (2 Peter 3:10), there will come a time when He will no longer be patient. The day will arrive when the clock will run out. He will return and completely fulfill all those promises. He will bring ultimate peace. He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more sorrow, crying or pain (Revelation 21:4).
But He will also come to pass judgement on all. Each one of us will stand before Him, giving account for all that we have done. Yes, even those who seem so evil here on earth. Those who we think are “getting away with it” will stand before God Almighty and have to take responsibility for everything they have done.
Knowing these truths doesn’t make the crying, pain, and sorrow of this world disappear, nor does it take away any of the grief. But it does give us a better glimpse into the incredible character of God. It gives a deeper appreciation for who He is. I am not more deserving of God’s grace than anyone else. God “is not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance.” (emphasis mine)
Just as I am thankful for the patience and grace He extended to me before I gave my life fully to Him, I need to be thankful that His character is constant in offering that same patience and grace to others.
I don’t understand all the ins and outs of why “bad things happen to good people” and why evil seems to prevail. But I do know this: God - a God of grace, mercy, patience - is long-suffering, giving ALL people every opportunity to confess and turn from their wicked ways. And if they don’t, their day of reckoning will come. Evil will not win.
In the meantime, we will remain in this sin-filled world. If you do not know Christ as your personal savior, I beg you to stop what you are doing and look into what Christ has done for you. Read John 3:16 to learn how He sent His son to die for you. God is loving and patient, but His patience will not last forever. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Make today the day you come into a right relationship with Him.
And, as for us believers, we will continue to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15), holding fast to that “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13), looking forward to the wonderful reunion we will have one day with those who’ve gone on before us. Let us be sure to also pray for those caught in the grasp of wickedness - blinded by their sin. Pray that they will no longer be deceived, will turn from their wicked way, and will give their lives to our long-suffering Savior.