Sir Isaac Newton recognised that the laws of the physical world are constant when he coined the phrase, ‘For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.’ – A handy thing to remember before stepping off a great height.
God set many scientific laws in motion and decreed that they remain constant. I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Isaiah 46:11b.
God also created mankind with volition and decreed that it remain free. The laws of ‘free-will’ are as constant as any scientific law in the physical world. For every decision there will be consequences. We are free to succeed and free to fail. This explains most of our suffering in life – we bring it upon ourselves (individually and nationally).
We may point our finger accusingly at God and ask: ‘How can You allow suffering?’ But God rarely intervenes when it comes to the repercussions caused by our own stupid decisions. We may earnestly pray for God to miraculously remove bad repercussions (never do we ask Him to remove good repercussions), but God would sooner suspend the ‘laws of gravity’, than tamper with the ‘laws of free-will’.
Through many choices we determine our attitude when facing life’s rotten apples. And, it is our attitude that often determines whether we have dug ourselves out of a hole or dug ourselves deeper. This is not to say God leaves us alone to deal with life’s problems. He has promised to deliver us THROUGH adversity – not OUT of adversity (Romans 8:28).
God provides the necessary strength to overcome any suffering brought upon by ourselves or others, but it is up to us whether we CHOOSE to utilise His provision. God created us with volition, so life’s central issue will always be about choice and the combined repercussions of freewill.
“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourself this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15