I want to provide you with an overview of the state of the world and the crushing impact that poverty has on it. Today our world houses 6.39 billion people – that’s alot of people! The United States is a part of the developed or industrialized world, which consists of about 50 countries with a combined population of only 0.9 billion, less than one sixth of the world’s population.
In contrast, approximately 5 billion people live in the developing world. This world is made up of about 125 low and middle-income countries in which people generally have a lower standard of living with access to fewer goods and services than people in high-income countries. In the developing world, more than 1.2 billion people currently live below the international poverty line, earning less than $1 per day.
Among this group of poor people, many have problems obtaining adequate, nutritious food for themselves and their families. As a result, 815 million people in the developing world are undernourished. They consume less than the minimum amount of calories essential for sound health and growth. Undernourishment negatively affects people’s health, productivity, sense of hope and overall well-being.
A lack of food can stunt growth, slow thinking, sap energy, hinder fetal development and contribute to mental retardation. Economically, the constant securing of food consumes the valuable time and energy of poor people, allowing less time for work and earning income.
Socially, the lack of food erodes relationships and feeds shame so that those most in need of support are often least able to call on it. Poor nutrition and calorie deficiencies cause nearly one in three people to die prematurely or have disabilities, according to the World Health Organization.
The facts I just have outlined tells us that poverty hurts our world, it is an evil which crushes the human spirit. Many people ask “Is this God’s will? and what is God doing to address the suffering of humanity?” To understand this issue we need to look at where this evil arose. Genesis 3:17-19 tell us something of the change in creation due to the fall of humanity:
“Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, `You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”
At the fall poverty, sin, and sickness entered into the world. Much of the pain and suffering we see in the world can be traced back to the fall of humanity. Due to the fall the human condition is marred and predisposed to sin and disobedience to God. Questions arise such as “Does God enjoy this suffering? What is he doing to alleviate it?”
I don’t want to stand here today and pretend there are easy answers to the issues of the poverty and suffering, but I do want to share some things about the nature of God which may help us see where God is in the midst of life’s pain. The Bible tells us in John 3:16 that “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
God loved the world so much he made a sacrifice to identify and deal with the suffering and poverty and sin of humanity. I want us to look at this more carefully. Jesus Christ took upon himself all the sins of the world. Jesus in 2 Cor 5:21 – became sin for us “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”; (2) In Isaiah 53 he became sickness for us; (3) In Gal 3:13 he became a curse for us “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree”; (4) In 2 Cor 8:9 he became poor for us “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
This was God’s response, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took it all upon himself. Whenever we hear of one of life’s tragedies – this is where we find God. God willingly went through all this pain and suffering to identify with and redeem fallen humanity and a fallen world. We can see how much God loved us when we look at these passages of scripture. We can see the pain of God as he reconciles this dark and tragic world, a world He loves unto Himself.
I wrote a song a number of years ago and it helps us to feel where God is in the midst of our pain and trauma. The words say: “And I can hear you calling out my name, and I can feel you healing all my pain, and I can see you suffering for me. I hear you cries, as they nail you to the tree, I just wish I could get a little closer to you.”
When we wonder where God is in the midst of life’s tragic circumstance, we hear him calling out to us and saying ‘I have suffered for you I feel the pain and my love for you is not a shallow love, a love that cost nothing.’ God says his love cost him the suffering and death of His only son. God has done all these things to restore us to relationship with him.
One of the most beautiful stories in the bible of relationship with God is the story of Abraham. Abraham left his own home country in obedience to God. He had an intimate relationship with God. In fact God loved Abraham so much he made him the following promise: Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. 2. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 3. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
I want us to note two things from this passage: firstly, God wants us to know him, to know and hear his voice. Secondly, God wants us to obey the things he tells us to do, and when we do these things God promises to bless us and take care of us. This is love, intimacy and friendship with God. God wants us to be obedient to him and to depend on his leading.
The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 28 that if we obey God He will bless us. God know’s that much of the poverty and suffering of humanity is due to people being out of relationship with him, people being disobedient to Him. Many times in our guilt and shame and in our pain, like Adam in the beginning, we run from God. God is calling out to all of us today, like He did to Adam in the garden. In the midst of the turmoil of our lives He is saying “Where are you?” He longs to have fellowship with us, to walk with us and be close friends. (Genesis 3:9)
Even when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death God wants to walk with you. (Psalm 23:4) God wants you to know that He loves you and wants to provide for all your needs. He wants you to seek him first in all things and He will take care of your needs. Be obedient to God and He will bless you. God wants to prosper you!
If you enjoyed this word of encouragement, please feel free to sign up for future words of encouragement and updates of our ministry endeavors, by joining our mailing list on the top right hand side of this page.
