Why

Sunday, September 11, will be the tenth anniversary of a tragic day in American history. It was a day that showed that we are not as safe and secure as we once thought. A day when the unthinkable happened, we were attacked.
After the planes hit the towers, the pentagon, and the field in Pennsylvania, many questions were being asked. One primary question was, “Why did God allow this to happen?”
We must understand that God did not make the plans of the attack. He did not hijack the planes. He did not fly the planes into their final destinations. Man did. Nevertheless, that does not satisfactorily answer the question.
The Bible gives accounts of many instances where people suffered at the hands of others and one wonders why did this happen to them.
Joseph was loved by his father, so much that it caused a rift in the family. His brothers sold him into slavery, and he was eventually wrongfully imprisoned. Later, when he had a chance to meet his brothers, he said to them, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20 NASB)
These terrorists wanted to destroy America. They wanted evil to reign from that day forward. As the towers were falling, the Pentagon smoldering, and a plane crashed in Pennsylvania, the media (secular as it is) kept announcing for people to pray. The newscasters, the leaders of America, and people on the streets, were turning to God for the answers. The terrorists wanted evil, but God used it for good.
Job was a man of great wealth. He had every material thing imaginable. He had a wonderful wife, many children, and a massive homestead. In one horrible day, it all was taken away. His homestead destroyed, his children killed, and he was covered with debilitating sores. During his struggles, Job said, “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10 NASB)
While we tend to think that only good can bring about a blessing, it is also through the trials that blessings will occur. In order to receive the blessing, we must accept the trial that we are going through. How less treasured is the blessing, if there is no struggle to get it? It is through the trials that we will be immensely blessed.
Paul was an enthusiastic witness for God. He traveled all over the Mediterranean. He was beaten, imprisoned, stoned, and shipwrecked. However, he wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18 NASB)
Paul was focused in eternity. He knew whatever happened today, was not going to take away from the joys of eternity. He knew that one day, he would be in his Saviors arms. He suffered through many trials while spreading the message of Jesus Christ. While suffering he did not waver from his duty. He knew it was going to be rough. He knew it was going to be hard. However, he continued even through the trials, for his focus was not on today, but on eternity.
While each one had various trials in their lives, they all knew God was working. God allowed each one to go through their trials; each one had the proper response to their trial.
God allows things to happen to show how He is working and to bring good into every circumstance. While certain people may intentionally try to do evil things, God will work things out for the good of people. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,” (Romans 8:23 NASB) These “all things” includes the evil actions of other people.
By persevering through the trials that we are able to understand the blessings that will come. “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12 NASB)
God allows things to happen to bring us closer to Him. September 16, 2001 saw a significant increase in church attendance. One study showed that Over 90% of churches had an increase in attendance from the previous weeks. Of those churches, over 70% was an increase of ten or more. People were turning to God for the answers.
Ten years later, let us not forget what happened, and what we did: We turned to God. Let us persevere through this trial and any other that comes our way and continue to lean on God, for then, we can be found approved and will receive the crown of life.