“Oh, the depth of both the riches and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His paths beyond tracing out!” (cf. Romans 11:33).
“Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong?” (cf. Job 36:23).
“… Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’” (cf. Job 9:12).
“.. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘Wha have you done?’” (cf. Daniel 4:35).
“I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD do all these things,” (cf. Isaiah 45:9).
Disaster doesn’t just come to India, but to all people for no one is immune from the judgment of God. Job suffered evil at the devil’s doing unjustly and he still didn't fault God. Who are we to blame God? “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (cf. Gen. 18:25).
We are to pray for God’s protection, a hedge of protection, or a shield to be delivered from evil as in the Lord’s Prayer. God didn't spare His own Son from evil and even Christians are not immune. Our God knows suffering first hand from what He suffered on the cross- if ever there was unwarranted evil that was it. But I suppose the Hindus would attribute this evil to karma. After a disaster, Jesus’ disciples wondered if they had deserved it: “Unless you repent, you shall likewise perish.” (cf. Luke 13:5).
But God is too deep to understand too kind to be cruel and too wise to do wrong or make mistakes. We are to note that God only allows short-term evil for long-term good. And all evil brings the opportunity for good to be seen in men. The ultimate question is not why evil? but why good? We deserve no mercy at all from God. If we did it would be justice. God reserves the right to have mercy on whom He will (cf. Romans 9:15,18).
Don’t think that this is the way God originally created the earth when He said “it was very good.” Sin and evil entered the picture. Satan has some effect on nature too but only with God’s permission—look at the calamities that happened to Job. Even though evil does happen, God’s guiding hand is there to filter anything contrary to His plan and will. In sum, note that God never explained Himself to Job or give him the answer he was looking for, but only revealed Himself; the answer wasn’t, “Why?” but “Who?” (God owes no one an explanation!). Note that the same sun melts the butter hardens the clay; some become bitter, some better!
In sum, a word to the wise is sufficient: We dare not ask God why is there so much evil in this fallen world (if there is a God), but why is there so much good (if there is no God)? Soli Deo Gloria!
About Me
- Karl Broberg
- I am a born-again Christian, who is Reformed, but also charismatic, spiritually speaking. (I do not speak in tongues, but I believe glossalalia is a bona fide gift not given to all, and not as great as prophecy, for example.) I have several years of college education but only completed a two-year degree. I was raised Lutheran and confirmed, but I didn't "find Christ" until I was in the Army and responded to a Billy Graham crusade in 1973. I was mentored or discipled by the Navigators in the army and upon discharge joined several evangelical, Bible-teaching churches. I was baptized as an infant, but believe in believer baptism, of which I was a partaker after my conversion experience. I believe in the "5 Onlys" of the reformation: sola fide (faith alone); sola Scriptura (Scripture alone); soli Christo (Christ alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and soli Deo gloria (to God alone be the glory). I affirm TULIP as defended in the Reformation.. I affirm most of The Westminster Confession of Faith, especially pertaining to Providence.