The question of why God doesn’t heal amputees, or why God allows suffering and doesn’t intervene in certain situations to perform miracles, is one that has deeply challenged believers and skeptics alike. It touches on aspects of God’s character, the nature of miracles, and the problem of pain and suffering. While the Bible doesn’t address this specific question directly, it does offer insights into how God works in the world, the purpose of miracles, and the broader context of suffering and healing.

1. The Nature and Purpose of Miracles: In the Bible, miracles serve specific purposes, including affirming the divine authority of Jesus and His messengers, demonstrating God’s power, compassion, and the coming of His kingdom, and deepening faith. Miracles are signs pointing to larger truths about God and His purposes rather than ends in themselves (John 20:30-31). They reveal aspects of God’s character and kingdom, but they are not performed on demand or to satisfy every human need or desire.
2. Suffering and the Fallen World: The Bible teaches that suffering and death entered the world as a consequence of human sin (Romans 5:12). The world as it is now is not as God originally created or intended it to be. While God sometimes intervenes in miraculous ways, He does not always do so, and the Bible does not always provide clear reasons for His actions or inactions. However, it affirms that God is present with us in our suffering (Psalm 34:18).
3. God’s Sovereignty and Wisdom: The Bible presents God as sovereign and wise, with an understanding and purpose that transcend human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). His ways and reasons for acting or not acting in certain situations are often beyond human comprehension. Christians are called to trust in God’s wisdom and goodness, even when His actions do not align with human desires or expectations (Proverbs 3:5-6).
4. The Role of Faith and the Future Hope: The Bible emphasizes faith in God and the hope of the resurrection and the restoration of all things (Revelation 21:4). For Christians, the ultimate hope is not necessarily in physical healing in this life but in the promise of eternal life with God, where there will be no more suffering, pain, or death. The Apostle Paul, who experienced significant suffering and was not healed of his “thorn in the flesh,” spoke of a greater purpose in suffering and the sufficiency of God’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
5. God’s Presence in Suffering: Rather than always removing suffering or providing miraculous healings, the Bible shows that God is present with His people in their suffering, providing comfort, strength, and hope (Psalm 23; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4). The message of Christianity is not that believers are exempt from suffering but that God is with them in their suffering.

The question of why God doesn’t heal amputees, or why certain miracles happen and others do not, ultimately leads to the mystery of God’s will and ways. While such questions may not have satisfying answers this side of eternity, the Christian faith invites believers to trust in God’s character, to seek comfort in His presence, and to hold onto the hope of the resurrection, where all things will be made new.