Seeking to Understand Bad Things

        How are bad things that happen to good people to be understood? They are to be framed in two categories: His nature, and His word. First His Word:

        “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

        “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). His ways are beyond our comprehension even though mankind has always tried to understand the Porifera of His being.

        “As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything” (Ecclesiastes 11:5). If we do not understand these basics how can we expect to understand God?

        “Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9). In light of this, how are we to respond when faced with things beyond our comprehension. We are to . . . .

        “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). “Trust,” that is to have “a bold, confidence in.”

        “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

        These passages highlight that God’s will and purposes are often beyond human comprehension, yet Scripture calls us to trust, follow, and believe in His perfect wisdom. Now, His nature.

        We are to interpret  the unknown and incomprehensible in light of His:

Holiness – God is morally pure and separate from sin. 

        1 Peter 1:16 – “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Love – God is self-giving and unconditional in love.

        1 John 4:8 – “God is love.”

Mercy – God shows compassion to the needy and undeserving.

        Ephesians 2:4 – “But God, who is rich in mercy…”

Justice – God is fair and righteous in all His dealings.

        Deuteronomy 32:4 – “All His ways are justice.”

Faithfulness – God keeps His promises.

        Lamentations 3:22–23 – “Great is Your faithfulness.”

Wisdom – God applies knowledge perfectly to achieve good.

        Romans 11:33 – “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”

Grace – God gives unmerited favor and blessings.

        Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved…”

Consider the composite of all of these in seeking to understand the unknown.