Consider a Christian’s financial setback. Is Satan responsible for that? God “let it happen.” Is He responsible? He did not prevent it. Does that mean “He allowed it to happen?”
There is a false logic in the questions. On the one hand we say, “God is in control of everything.” On the other hand we know that Satan is walking to and fro seeking whom he may devour. Both statements are true, but both ignore free will and the sinful state of the world.
In order for man to love God, He gave man a free will. Otherwise, the love man had for God would not be love at all. Therefore, man gets to choose whom he will serve and love. God could control him, but chooses not to.
We live in a fallen world, beset by sin. Had man chosen not to disobey God in the Garden of Eden, we would still be in a perfect world. But Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, thus introducing sin into the world and passing the “spiritual gene” of sin to all of mankind.
Our battle must not be with God, but with principalities and evil in high places. It is a spiritual battle that can only be won by trusting in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary.
But the worldly battle with bad things goes on and will do so until God finishes all things in the end.
In the mean time, we continue to struggle with the bad things that resulted from man’s initial disobedience to God. Earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, famine and all other evils continue, including financial setbacks. Our loved ones and we are subject to physical death. We lose friends, pets, our homes and many other things we hold dear.
What is God’s role in all of this? The Bible tells us that in every circumstance His grace will see us through. He has made that possible through Jesus Christ. God does not interrupt the natural (and sinful) flow of things unless He has a special purpose for doing so. He does, however, provide us with His sufficiency, whose name is Jesus.
It really comes down to the question: Is Jesus enough? For some He does not seem to be. They want Jesus, but they want Jesus plus something or other.
What a day of joy and relief it is when we realize that Jesus is, indeed, sufficient for our every need (if not our every want). In fact, the entire gospel is predicated on the principle of Jesus plus nothing equals eternal life, joy, blessings, comfort and purpose.
The next time something bad happens, don’t blame God. Don’t even "acquiesce" to “His will.” Instead, run to Him for comfort and support. He will carry you through.
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