Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?

Hope in the Dark

“Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?”

Key Scriptures

• “This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 5 All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.” Mark 1:4-5
• “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”​ John 1:29-30
• “After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.’”​ Matthew 3:16-17
• “For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). 4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid​ of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.​” Matthew 14:3-5 ​
• “The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing.” Luke 7:18
• “So John called for two of his disciples, 19 and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’”​ Luke 7:18b-19​
• “Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, the those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.​ 23 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall because of me.’”​ Luke 7:22​-23
• “I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John…​” Luke 7:28a​
• “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.​”John 3:16
• “For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. ​21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.​” Philippians 1:20​-21
• “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.​” Romans 8:28 ​
• “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ​No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.​” Romans 8:38-39
• “But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.​” Matthew 19:22 ​
• “And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” Revelations 7:15b ​​

Reflect on What You’ve Heard

1. What effect does a “greater supernatural context” have on your life? How does that effect your time?
2. What would it look like to live like God’s promises are real?
3. Are you living in God’s principles or in His promises? What does that difference mean in your life?
4. How can you live for more?

Pray it Out

Jesus. Thank you that this life isn’t the end of the story; help me to follow Your principles but to truly live for Your promises. I want to live for more! Amen.