28th.: God, Why Do You Allow Evil?
Over 2600 years ago, the prophet Habakkuk asked God a question,
“O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!
Even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
Why do you show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance?
For spoiling and violence are before me, and there are that raise up strife and contention.
Therefore the law is slacked, and judgement does never go forth.
For the wicked surrounds the righteous, therefore wrong judgement proceeds.” (Hab. 1:2-4).
In short, Habakkuk asked God a question, many people still ask,
Why do you allow evil to continue?
God answered,
“… I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe,
though it be told you. For lo, I raise up the Chaldeans …
They are terrible and dreadful. They shall come all for violence.
… imputing this his power unto his god.” (Hab. 1:5b-11).
God reaffirmed that he was going to allow the very cruel and inhumane
Chaldeans to overwhelm Israel.
Meaning, the wickedness done against Israel was going to get worse.
This is not what Habakkuk wanted to hear.
We ask the Lord hard questions.
We want easy answers.
But our Sin does not allow for easy answers.
“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways may ways,’ saith the Lord.” (Isa. 55:8)