I’m gonna guess it’s easier to accept trials and hardships if we somehow think they are random and just part of living in a fallen world. After all, everyone goes through seasons of suffering, so why shouldn’t I? Life’s gonna do what life’s gonna do.

But does it get a bit more complicated when we see our sufferings in the context of a sovereign God? If we can’t claim to be victims of chance and circumstance because nothing happens on earth apart from heaven’s purposes and permission? And what if it’s not just permitted but in fact appointed?

A couple of readings this morning combine to give me something to chew on.

And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened.

(1Thessalonians 3:2-4 CSB)

Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in Your book and planned
before a single one of them began.

(Psalms 139:16 CSB)

We are appointed to this. We are appointed to these afflictions. That’s what I’m noodling on.

In Thessalonica, Paul had been doing the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way for the Lord’s kingdom and the Lord’s glory. And yet, he was run out of town by some Jews who “became jealous” and “brought together some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city (Acts 17:1-5). Not only were they run out of that town, but they were pursued and run out of the next town as well (Acts 17:13-14). Faithful Paul targeted by jealous leaders. Righteous Paul afflicted by wicked men. Random? Nope. Planned? Apparently. It was God’s intention. Paul and Co. were appointed to this.

But how come? That question’s been around since Job. And Job found out there is no answer apart from reframing the question from “why?” to “Who?”

God appointed Paul to experience affliction at the hands of jealous and wicked people. For His purposes, He let people do what they were intent on doing, to inflict what they were set on inflicting. God, who is over all, didn’t just stand by, instead He stood over and watched these days play out just as they were written in His book and planned before a single one of them began.

Do I get it? Kind of. Do I totally get it? Not so much. Do I need to totally get it? Not really.

Because do I know that God is good? Absolutely! And do I know that God can be trusted? Yup! (Well, maybe not always at first.)

By faith I received the good news and by faith I can endure the bad times. By faith I was brought into relationship with the God of heaven and by faith I will walk in relationship with the God of heaven. What began by faith will be completed by faith. For He is faithful.

Whatever our appointed to this might be, may we not waver in our confidence in the One who has done the appointing.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
in all your ways know Him,
and He will make your paths straight.

(Proverbs 3:5-6 CSB)

Only by His all-sufficient grace. Always for His all-deserving glory.