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This is a message that was given on the tenth anniversary of the terrorists attacks on our nation. It is a brief "beginning" discussion regarding the problem of evil in the world and how a good God can allow such evil.
Written Excerpts:
Ps. 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
Matt. 2745 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Introduction:
Today we have taken the time to remember and reflect on the events of September 11, 2001 and how they changed our world forever. We have been reminded of the evil – despicably evil – deeds that were perpetrated against our nation on that day. While we reflect on those events we are reminded as well about many other horrible events of the past in the history of the world that can only be described as unspeakably evil.
I believe that the passage of Scripture I referred to a moment ago in Matthew 27:45 contains words that describe what we mean when we talk about evil prevailing. The reference to darkness over all the land implies the foreboding sense of evil everywhere. The words that Jesus cried, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” imply the same kind of message and feeling that the title of this message does…
God, where are you? Amid all this evil, where are you? Why can’t I feel you? Why can’t I see you? Have you forsaken us? These questions all beg for answers to them as well as other deeper questions. Where does evil come from anyway? If God is all powerful and if God is good, then why doesn’t He stop all kinds of evil?
I readily admit to you today that I do not have all the answers to these penetrating questions. Some of them really go beyond my ability to fully grasp. Yet, I do want to use our time this morning to consider some important thoughts, observations and principles that will at least offer some insight and provide some comfort and peace in these troubled circumstances.
I. Evil results when free will asserts itself against its Creator.
Earlier this summer, I preached a message on the topic of freedom and liberty. I believe it was in conjunction with the July 4th holiday. I tried to explain at that time the biblical foundation for the concept of God-given freedom to the human beings who were created in His image. The Divine image in humanity includes the aspect of free will; the ability to make real choices that are not coerced by an outside power.
Theologians and philosophers have long debated the matter of human freedom and will always do so. But I contend that the Bible supports the concept of free will and portrays human beings that are not mere robots. When men and women have the ability to choose between obedience and disobedience, submission or rebellion, then there exists the possibility for consequences that are very bad; not only for the individual making the choice, but for many others that are closely related to the person or the situation.
Why can’t God stop the evil? He can, or He could, but that would necessitate the removal of everyone’s free choice.
People have often asked in anger over some disastrous deed, why didn’t God step in and stop them? I don’t know all the answer to that question, but I think part of the answer is this: He could have stepped into the situation and stopped the perpetrator from committing his horrible deed. But justice would also require that God step in and eliminate your freedom to even question His actions. It seems obvious to me that true justice requires God to grant freedom to everyone or to no one.
II. God is not absent, but He is active.
Where’s God when evil prevails? He is right where He always has been.
Deists believe in a model of creation that is described like a clock maker who designs and starts the clock and then leaves and lets the clock run on its own. He no longer interacts or interferes with the creation. The Bible, however, gives quite a different view of God. Over and over the Bible portrays God as being very active in human history and in the affairs of men, governments and nations.
The Bible portrays God as almighty and sovereign. There is no person, nation, or being of any kind that will ever derail God’s ultimate purposes and goals for the creation. Look at Joseph. All the time that he felt like God had abandoned him and forsaken him, but God was at work for a larger purpose and greater good than what Joseph could see or understand. It was only after years of disappointments and reverses and injustices that Joseph finally recognized the larger picture and was able to see God was actively at work with his life.
Job, David, Jeremiah, and a host of biblical characters all had their moments, even months or years, when they could not tell that God was near and at work in their lives. Yet, each of them ultimately discovered that when God seemed distant and life’s circumstances were dark and violent, God was working out His ultimate plan and purposes.
We too have those days even seasons in life when it is only by faith in the written word of God that we can know that God is aware of our situation and He is actively at work to accomplish His divine purposes in our lives and in our world.
III. God provides grace for every trial for those who submit to His will.
James chapter 1 describes the attitude God desires to find in the hearts of the faithful when they are faced with tests and trials and tribulations.
In Chapter 4, James describes the proper condition for receiving the needed grace from God. It is humility.
4:6 – God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
The Apostle Peter says, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it is tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pe. 1:7)
I think of Scriptures like the 23rd Psalm and the 46th Psalm that provide comfort and strength to our souls in times of upheaval and distress. We read these and trust by faith that God hasn’t abandoned us, but will provide the grace, strength and comfort that is needed in the worst times.
I want to read Psalm 23 for us today as we close.
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