I went to a mid week service tonight; yep, I finally found one in our city. Part way there it started to rain, but I didn’t worry too much because I was dry and warm in my blue van. By the time I got to the church I had to park down the street a bit and the rain was coming down a little heavier. And then a strange thing happened. I got out of the van to walk to the building, and the rain came down on me!
How dare that rain come down on me! Didn’t it know I am a child of the King! “Stop, I am getting wet” I cried, but it did not stop. Walking faster didn’t stop the rain from hitting me, ducking my head only changed where it was hitting, and in the end I was just as wet as the others walking without umbrellas. And of course I had difficulty seeing since my glasses got wet.
"Oh, woe is me for I am wet from walking in the rain. What have I done wrong that it rained on me tonight? Perhaps it rained on me because I am a sinful person? Perhaps the Lord is displeased with me and that is why it rained on me?" Many people ask the same kind of questions when they see suffering in others’ or their own lives. “Who sinned?” they ask. (John 9:1,2)
It seems silly asking the kind of questions above about the rain falling on you, but when it comes to why we or others we love suffer, we do not feel so foolish asking anymore. The reality is the fall of man through Adam brought sin and death into the world, and now 'rain' just happens. Before the fall, only good happened, but all kinds of things went wrong after the fall: death, sickness, crop failure, job loss, etc.
(The Father) maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just (innocent, holy) and on the unjust (wicked, heathen). Mat.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Rom.
Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. Rom. ,21 NLT
The curse (rain) fell impartially on all men. The rain itself is not the problem, but how you respond to the rain may be. Many people have very similar suffering yet one becomes hard and bitter, one falls apart into despair, and another continues to love and serve God. Hanging on to frustrating questions will not help, but holding on to God will. “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!” (Heb. NLT) Life may not be fair, but God is good! And in the end, God wins, so we His children win… (Rev. 21,22)
And there shall be no more curse...
Rev. 22:3