IS THERE A GOOD END TO ALL THAT IS WRONG IN THE WORLD?

WE CAN HAVE FAITH IN YHVH’S GOODNESS DESPITE OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

“There was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless, a man of complete integrity. He feared YHVH and stayed away from evil.” (Job 1:1) As we see calamity and suffering in the book of Job, we must remember that we live in a fallen world where good behaviour is not always rewarded and bad behaviour is not always punished. When we see a notorious criminal prospering or an innocent child in pain, we say, “That’s wrong.” And it is. Sin has twisted justice and made our world unpredictable and ugly. The book of Job shows a good man suffering for no apparent fault of his own. Sadly, our world is like that. But Job’s story does not end in despair. Through Job’s life we can see that faith in YHVH is justified even when our situations look hopeless. Faith based on rewards or prosperity is hollow. To be unshakable, faith must be built on the confidence that YHVH’s ultimate purpose will come to pass.

IN SPITE OF EVIL, YHVH IS WORKING OUT HIS GOOD PURPOSES.

“As far as I am concerned, YHVH turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.” (Genesis 50:20) When Joseph became a slave, Jacob thought he was dead and wept in despair (Genesis 37:30). But eventually YHVH’s plan allowed Jacob to regain not only his son, but his grandchildren as well. Circumstances are never so bad that they are beyond YHVH’s help. Jacob regained his son. Job got a new family (Job 42:10-17). Mary regained her brother Lazarus (John 11:1-44). We need never despair, because we belong to a loving YHVH. We never know what good he will bring out of a seemingly hopeless situation. In Joseph’s life, YHVH brought good from the brothers’ evil deed, Potiphar’s wife’s false accusation, the cupbearer’s neglect, and seven years of famine. Joseph’s experiences taught him that YHVH brings good from evil for those who trust him. Do you trust YHVH enough to wait patiently for him to bring good out of bad situations? You can trust him because, as Joseph learned, YHVH can overrule people’s evil intentions to bring about his intended results.

YHVH’S ABILITY TO DO GOOD IS NOT LIMITED BY OUR UNDERSTANDING.

“When Yeshua heard about it he said, ‘Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of YHVH. I, the Son of YHVH, will receive glory from this.’” (John 11:4) As their brother grew very sick, Mary and Martha turned to Yeshua for help. They believed in his ability to help because they had seen his miracles. We too know of Yeshua’ miracles, both from Scripture and through changed lives we have seen. When we need extraordinary help, Yeshua offers extraordinary resources. We should not hesitate to ask him for assistance. Any trial a believer faces can ultimately bring glory to YHVH, because YHVH can bring good out of any bad situation (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). When trouble comes, do you grumble, complain, and blame YHVH, or do you see your problems as opportunities to honour him?

YHVH IS INVOLVED IN ALL REALMS OF LIFE TO BRING ABOUT HIS GOOD ENDS.

“We know that YHVH causes everything to work together for the good of those who love YHVH and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28) YHVH works in “everything"-not just isolated incidents-for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but YHVH is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. Note that YHVH is not working to make us happy, but to fulfil his purpose. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by those who love YHVH and are fitting into YHVH’s plans. Those who are “called” are those the Ruach Kodesh convinces and enables to receive Moshiach. Such people have a new perspective, a new mind-set on life. They trust in YHVH, not life’s treasures; they look to their security in heaven, not on earth; they learn to accept, not resent, pain and persecution because YHVH is with them.