Reflections on Evil in the World

People are often quick to ask questions after a tragedy happens or natural disaster strikes. Where was God when this happened? Could a loving God allow this terrible thing to happen? Is this God's judgment?

I suppose these questions are natural. We want to have an answer, a reason for bad things. We want to know that there is something good that can come, and cling to that hope.

There are a few things I know, and these come from Scripture.

1. There is evil in the world. Sin entered the world and has affected all of mankind and creation itself. Without God's grace, we live according to our sinful nature.

Romans 8:5-8, 22 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

2. God WILL bring justice for the evil that is committed.

Psalm 9:7-8 The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.

3. God is sovereign and His ways are higher than our ways.

Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways", declares The Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways."

4. God has our days numbered and He created us with a purpose. I don't understand why some people get 90 years- worth of days, others only 6 years-worth.

Psalm 139:15-16 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

5. How we fight against evil- loving those around us, shining light into dark places.

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

1 John 4:10-11 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

I do not have answers exactly to why bad things happen. Yet I have to trust God- He doesn't change and He has shown us through the Word that He is faithful.