Expert: Marvin Howard - 11/14/2004

Question
My 16 year old daughter and her friends have just experienced the second death of a classmate in about a month. Both were involved in automobile accidents. My daughter has a friend who has been questioning her about the existence of God and why God would let this happen. My daughter has a strong faith in God but doesn't know what to say. Could you give her any suggestions?  

Answer
Hi!

Patricia, I am deeply sorry it is taking me 4 days to answer instead of the 3 promised. I was having a war with my phone compamy, and had to change.

I feel for your daughter. Last year, I lost my 38 year old sister and my mother within three months of each other. I know from experience just how hard this is.

God's mind and knowledge are infinite. With this in mind, consider the following scripture.

Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Ot is possible that God knew something even more terrible and/or painful was going to happen to them. Our mortal minds simply cannot see into the future as does His.

There is another possibility. God may be testing the faith of your daughter. Consider these scriptures.

Job 1:1-2, "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters."

Job 1:8-11, "And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face."

Job 1:18-19, "While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee."

We simply cannot know the mind of God. He does test us. Consider the following scripture. Bear in mind, also, this was one of the first and least severe of the tests God sent Job's way.

1 Corinthians 3:9-16, "For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

As a jeweler purifies his precious metals with the severity of fire, so does God try us severely. It is not to discourage us, but to give us yet more strength. Don't give up. Don't forget your friends. But, take from this an inner strength telling you there is yet time for you to work for Him. There is yet more time to make sure you are right.

As with Job, God may be using your daughter to tell Satan to "go jump in a lake" as it were. (Forgive the pun. It wasn't intended.)

Just remember Job's reward.

Job 42:12-13, "So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters."

And, remember our promise.

Revelation 2:10, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

In His Service,
Marvin Howard
preacherman_1962@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962