What have I done to deserve this?

When trouble or disaster strikes, sometimes we are tempted to ask, ‘What have I done to deserve this?’ The implication being that a higher power is punishing us.

On one occasion, some Jews brought to the attention of Jesus the fact that Pilate, the Roman Governor, had slaughtered a number of Galileans whilst they were undertaking their religious duties. Jesus in turn reminded them of the misfortune that occurred when a tower in the town of Siloam had collapsed and killed eighteen people. He then asked, ‘Do you think these people were more guilty than those who remained unscathed?’  Without waiting for an answer he said, ‘I tell you no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.’

There is no denying that sometimes our troubles are the result of our own folly. Wrongdoing, however, is not necessarily balanced out by trouble in this life.

The mercy of God is great indeed, because he is not presently dealing with us as we really deserve, for that would mean utter ruin for each of us here and now.

God's mercy is such that when trouble comes, he is not necessarily meting out punishment. Rather he desires that trouble be transformed from an evil to a tool of blessing. How so? In that troubles ought to turn us towards God who longs to reveal his Father-heart to us. Trials and troubles may be viewed as stepping stones to a God with outstretched arms, not rocks designed to crush us from on high. It is the gracious and loving purpose of God not to condemn us but to free us.

For better or for worse, judgement and its consequences are the reality that will follow this life, but how marvelous is the Christian message, ‘turn and trust’ (repent and believe is the Bible’s terminology). The Good News is that when Jesus, who is God come to us as a man, died on the cross he took upon himself judgment, condemnation and punishment on the behalf of all who will trust in him.