Sermon Reflections from Why Does God Allow Suffering? | Alex Hardt | September 13, 2026
Pastor Alex used the words of Habakkuk to guide us to and through this serious question. Habakkuk saw the suffering and injustice all around him in the nation of Israel. He questioned God about how long God would let this continue. Then he was astounded when God told him He was planning to use a violent, evil nation to bring His justice upon them. Habakkuk then turned to recount what he was seeing in the nation- greed, injustice, evil, arrogance, reckless wanton behaviors and idolatry. Seeing all of this, in spite of all this, Habakkuk says in verse 3:18-19 “yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.”
NO matter what he is seeing or feeling, Habakkuk chooses to trust in God!
That is the message Pastor Alex left us with- NO Matter what- Trust in God! We know we can trust and rely upon God.
Why is that? Because we know the character of God that is unchanging. In our last week’s question-How do we reconcile the destructive actions with God’s character? I looked to the justice, perfection and impartiality of God’s character. This week with our question about –why suffering is allowed? I will again look to God’s character. But before I do, let me talk about the world we live in. Since the fall of man and the introduction of sin into the lives of man, this has become an increasingly evil world. We live in a fallen world.
That is the message Pastor Alex left us with- NO Matter what- Trust in God! We know we can trust and rely upon God.
Why is that? Because we know the character of God that is unchanging. In our last week’s question-How do we reconcile the destructive actions with God’s character? I looked to the justice, perfection and impartiality of God’s character. This week with our question about –why suffering is allowed? I will again look to God’s character. But before I do, let me talk about the world we live in. Since the fall of man and the introduction of sin into the lives of man, this has become an increasingly evil world. We live in a fallen world.
Matthew 5:44-45 tells us what Jesus said, “ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
We will be living our lives, seeking to walk with Him, but it is no longer a perfect world. Things happen to both the just and the unjust because of our sin nature and the world we live in BUT, Jesus says we should use those times to tell others about Him and show love to all-even our enemies.
Knowing we live in a sin-filled world, how can relying up God’s character move us in the right direction- upward and not to spiraling downward? God is Sovereign! God controls all things. There is nothing that is outside of God’s wise control, even the exact time and place for each person to live. No one tells God what to do. What God plans, happens. No event, no natural disaster no person, not even Satan, can stop God’s plans. When God permits evil, we can trust He has planned to use it for His people’s good and His glory. God planned the time for His Son to come the first time and a time for His Son to return. God will accomplish His plan because He alone had power to do it! Scripture tells us of God’s sovereignty. 1 Chronicles 29:12 “ Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.” Isaiah 45:7 “I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” And a favorite of mine- John10:29, a promise from Jesus, “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.” As we read the Bible, we see that each of the major characters from Abraham to David to Paul came to grips with suffering and trials though their faith in the sovereignty of God.
As we trust in God’s sovereignty, we also need to trust in God’s goodness. We have to believe in all things God is in control and has our best interests and His glory in perspective. God is good and all His ways are righteous. He is good to all people. God’s blessing is His goodness to us personally. God is compassionate. He satisfies those in need. He offers hope, refuge and care to all who come to Him. God’s children experience His goodness even when bad things happen. God promises to make all things work together for our good! Scripture affirms God’s goodness.
Knowing we live in a sin-filled world, how can relying up God’s character move us in the right direction- upward and not to spiraling downward? God is Sovereign! God controls all things. There is nothing that is outside of God’s wise control, even the exact time and place for each person to live. No one tells God what to do. What God plans, happens. No event, no natural disaster no person, not even Satan, can stop God’s plans. When God permits evil, we can trust He has planned to use it for His people’s good and His glory. God planned the time for His Son to come the first time and a time for His Son to return. God will accomplish His plan because He alone had power to do it! Scripture tells us of God’s sovereignty. 1 Chronicles 29:12 “ Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.” Isaiah 45:7 “I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” And a favorite of mine- John10:29, a promise from Jesus, “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.” As we read the Bible, we see that each of the major characters from Abraham to David to Paul came to grips with suffering and trials though their faith in the sovereignty of God.
As we trust in God’s sovereignty, we also need to trust in God’s goodness. We have to believe in all things God is in control and has our best interests and His glory in perspective. God is good and all His ways are righteous. He is good to all people. God’s blessing is His goodness to us personally. God is compassionate. He satisfies those in need. He offers hope, refuge and care to all who come to Him. God’s children experience His goodness even when bad things happen. God promises to make all things work together for our good! Scripture affirms God’s goodness.
Psalm 107:9 “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”
Lamentations 3:25 “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”
Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Titus 3:4-5 “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” We need to trust in the goodness of God at all times!
These two attributes of God- sovereignty and goodness need to go hand in hand as we walk with Him. He knows the future and has a plan and we need to trust that plan is good for us even if we can’t see it right now. I claim the truth of Jeremiah 29:11 in my life when I’m in doubt. “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.”
These two attributes of God- sovereignty and goodness need to go hand in hand as we walk with Him. He knows the future and has a plan and we need to trust that plan is good for us even if we can’t see it right now. I claim the truth of Jeremiah 29:11 in my life when I’m in doubt. “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.”
God’s solution to our doubt is trust and pray to Him- He promises to hear us. He will hear us just as He did Habakkuk.
Linda
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Linda is a member of Crossroads church and regularly blogs about her faith.
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