Is God Fair?

Did you all hear the "big" announcement this week? Michelle Duggar of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" is pregnant with her 20th child! You can watch the announcement on the Today Show here.

I was not too surprised. I mean, lets be honest, it's obvious from the name of their TV show that they weren't exactly "done" having kids and their website explains their belief on birth control and desire to have as many children as the Lord sees fit.

I do not completely agree with the Duggars, on many different levels, but I do applaud them for their desire to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. All I know is that God obviously made my body very different from Michele's. I can't fathom (nor have the desire to) what it must be like to give birth 19 times!


I do, however, struggle with the fact that the Duggars have 19, almost 20, children while so many couples desire to have one child and cannot. It seems unfair that couples have to spend thousands of dollars and often wait years to adopt a child while some have 6, 8, or even 20 children with little difficulty.

It also seems unfair when God doesn't not provide a spouse for people who so long to be married. Or when a man, who has a masters level education, must work the same low paying job as someone with half his education. Or when a 25 year old is diagnosed with a chronic illness and can't hardly get off the couch, while an 70 year old runs marathons. It's unfair, right?

When I am tempted to think about what is "fair" in life, which unfortunately is often, I am reminded of Deuteronomy 32:4

"The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he."

The Bible never says that God is fair, but it does say on several occasions that He is just. All His ways are just. That is not an easy word to swallow. It leaves a lot of room for ...but God, "why", how is this right? Sometimes He answers those questions on this Earth, but most of the time He does not.We have to remember that fairness does not equate justice. Our questions and desire to declare something as being unfair does nothing more than kindle our fire of discontentment.

I may never understand why Michele Duggar has 19 children while other godly women have none, but by God's grace, I have to trust that His word is true. He is always faithful and just. I think Michele and Jim Bob had it right when they said, "as He [sees] fit in His timing". God has a plan, it is just, and we can trust Him even when life seems unfair.