From another netfriend:

My tentative conclusion about healing:

God has a specific convenant with Israel; Israel is punished for violations of that covenant, and blessed to the extent that it obeys

I do not see this kind of simple reward / punishment for individuals, nor is it clear that it applies directly to nations that don’t have that kind of explicit covenant (though something like it applies in the long run, because ungodly behavior does have consequences).

Indeed when applied to individuals, it seems to be primarily a pagan idea that whenever something bad happens, you’ve made the gods angry. Jonah’s companions on the boat believe this. Job’s friends believe it, and are rebuked. Jesus rejects it in John 9:2.

Calvin’s conclusion was that God’s children will be tried more than others. This is consistent with the Psalms, in which we get the clear impression that the wicked tend to prosper in this life.

My reading is that there is no simple equation between godliness and living a trouble-free life. God’s primary promises are that he will be with us, and that he will bring good out of evil.

One implication of creation, it seems to me, is that the universe has its own integrity. God is in overall control, and at times this is visible in events. Most of the time it’s more subtle. When you stub your toe, it’s normally because you were careless, and not because you’ve offended God. It is no doubt consistent with God’s larger plans, but it’s a mistake to try and read his will into every event in a simple way.

I have a less clear view of Satan’s role. Satan is presumably happy about evil, and his influence with people has bad effects. But I’m by no means sure that he is in control of so much that everything bad that happens was caused by him directly.