There will always be things that I never understand about the world and how things work. The word of God explains it, and I believe it, but when it comes down to it, God is in control, and I must trust Him. Let’s take evil in the world. It is true that sin is a product of man’s choice. But there is also an aspect of it that evil must exist to prove God’s love for us. Without it, God’s love for us could not be exemplified. Love cannot be shown without its antithesis.
This brings about the question of how much evil does God allow? If we go back to His word, we have examples of God allowing evil. Take for instance the Bible history of the children of Israel in Egypt and the 10 plagues. The word clearly states that God hardened Pharoah’s heart. Instead of the first plague proving that God was real and convincing him, God prevented Pharoah from seeing God was real and letting His people go. This continued until God saw fit the time was right.
How much of this goes on in our world today? Are some being blinded purposely until some sort of fulfillment like Pharoah experienced? Will evil triumph until a certain time when God reveals himself and people see him for who he truly is? How much evil will God allow? I just don’t see how much more this world can take. It seems like the world gets uglier each year I get older, and God gets pushed further aside.
I read in Proverbs 16 this last week about how the Lord has made everything for his purpose. Even the wicked for the day of disaster. I can see this as God’s plans are in motion for the future. We are all involved in bringing about his glory. Even the evil that is going on around us, He has a plan for it all.
So, now, I try not to fret when I see the world falling apart. He has a plan for it all and through it. Even the wicked will prosper for a while, God must allow it because, in the end, their defeat will bring him the glory. If there was no evil, there would be no defeat, then here would be no triumph to celebrate the glory.
The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.
– Proverbs 16:4
Photo by Ryoji Iwata on Unsplash
Moments for the Heart 