On November 14, 1970, a chartered jet carrying most of the Marshall University football team clipped a stand of trees and crashed into a hillside in Kenova, West Virginia. The football team, that was returning from a game with East Carolina University, was lost.

This is the most tragic event in college football history. It left a lot of people asking, “Why would a good, all-powerful God allow evil or suffering like this to happen?”

While this incident is far worse than most things that happen during a season, many coaches ask the question: why did God allow events such as a player or coach being seriously injured, or when they face criticism from fans, or when they’re fired?

Luke 13 – God is Good and Sovereign

When Jesus travels to Jerusalem in Luke 13, He finds Himself faced with this problem. Reading Luke 13:1- 17, we might think that evil was in control of the temple and God was losing control of the circumstances, but Jesus sets the record straight for us.

The solution to the ‘problem of evil’ begins with seeing circumstances the way God sees them. No doubt, many of your athletes probably think like the Jews in Jesus’ day. They believe good things happen to good people and bad things happen to sinners.

Jesus taught that the Galilean victims were not worse sinners than others. Better to say that all of them were just as bad, and they will suffer the same fate if they don’t change their relationship with God.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete believe God is good and sovereign over all the sports events and life. God is sovereign over all — even when it might seem like good people are being punished while the bad people are rewarded.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7 LSB

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute on One Must Not Permit Evil