Job and suffering
When trials come one after the other, or when they are particularly severe, it is natural to ask questions. And if we believe in the sovereignty of God in these things, we should. Scripture does not discourage such questions; instead, it points us to God’s purposes. So why does God allow trials? 1. Sometimes it is for testing. We see this in the life of Abraham when God asked him to take his son and sacrifice him (Genesis 22:1–2). We see it again in the early history of Israel, after they had crossed the Jordan and entered the promised land. God said He left enemies among them to test and try them, to see what they would do (Judges 3:1–4). 2. Sometimes it is to draw His people out to prayer. We see this when Israel fought against Benjamin. They asked God whether they should go up, and He told them to go (Judges 20:18). They went — and were defeated (Judges 20:21). So they prayed and fasted, asked again, and once more God told them to go (Judges 20:26–28). This time they won (Judges ...