Have you ever wondered why our loving Father lets his children suffer? At any time, God could push the big red button in his office and end the world. Jesus would come flying down to earth with millions of angels, and all of your pain and suffering would immediately end. Yet he doesn’t. He waits. Why?

The other day I talked to a new Christian about this very thing. Why wouldn’t Jesus just end her pain? So I asked her, “If five years ago another Christian just like you was hurting just like this and would have prayed this same prayer, what would have happened to you? If God ended his people’s suffering back then, would you have been ready for eternity?” She then realized why Jesus waits. It’s not that he doesn’t love us. It’s just that he also loves them. He wants all people to be restored to a right relationship with God.

I’m sure your heart asks Jesus the same question his first followers asked: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus’ answer for you is the same he gave back then: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’” (verses 7,8).

The Father lets us suffer for the sake of their salvation. So pray today for strength, and spread the only message that saves.