Life Isn’t Fair

He had a large and adoring family, was one of the wealthiest men in his community, and was as honest as the day is long. A decent and God fearing man, he seemed to have it made. Then disaster struck. All ten of his children died in a single accident. His wealth stolen and his health destroyed, his wife demanded, “Curse God and die.” He would not! What had happened? Why had he been singled out? His friends laid the blame at his feet. “You’re being punished for your sins,” they argued. “Whoever perished being innocent?” But it wasn’t so! “He was a perfect and upright man who feared God and turned away from evil.” Nothing he had done could account for his troubles.

The simple fact is that bad things happen to good people. Life isn’t fair. Job knew this. He exclaimed, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). Troubles come to men just as surely as the sparks fly upward (Job 5:7).

The marvelous thing about Job is that he proved that a man can maintain his faith in the midst of trouble. Job is not alone. Bad things still happen to good people. Life still isn’t fair. We’ve all seen it before. We know of good, decent, honest folks, whose loyalty to Christ is unquestioned, yet troubles come. Sometimes good people have far more than their share of troubles, while others with little or no regard for God and things spiritual seem to go through life unscathed. There is no explanation for it. It just happens.

However, I want to point out that God will one day even the score. And, He has something much better prepared for us. Don’t complain when troubles come. Look beyond them with eager anticipation to what lies ahead, and with Job exclaim, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15).