Hope Is Here

Why God? Why?

Why? “Why did this person do this?” “Why did this horrible tragedy take place?” “Why didn’t anyone do anything to prevent this?” …

All these questions ultimately lead to the question: “Why does God permit such evil to exist in the world?”

This question has plagued prophets, kings, philosophers, teachers, preachers and pundits alike. More than 2,600 years ago, the prophet Habakkuk leveled this very complaint against God. He cried out, “Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (Habakkuk 1:13). Centuries before Habakkuk, a man named Job cried out to God asking a similar question: “Why do the wicked live on,  growing old and increasing in power? They see their children established around them, their offspring before their eyes. Their homes are safe and free from fear; the rod of God is not upon them” (Job 21:7-9).

The prophet Habakkuk sought an answer to his question about the fairness and goodness of God in the presence of unthinkable evil, suffering and injustice. The answer that he found is the same answer that we still find today: God is Sovereign and is at work in human history to accomplish His plan (Jeremiah 29:11). And, in spite of what may suggest the contrary, His ultimate good will triumph.

Like Job, Habakkuk discovered that God is neither indifferent nor insensitive. He is neither apathetic nor absent. In the midst of the worst catastrophe, God is present. He is at work for the good of His children, and He is full of compassion to comfort them in the midst of their tears.

Though neither Job nor Habakkuk had all of their questions answered, they found an unassailable comfort and hope in the midst of their most unimaginable suffering. They discovered the sovereignty of God even in the face of tragedy. This is why we do not lose hope: God’s goodness, justice and righteousness will ultimately prevail, even when our circumstances appear to be hopeless!

This side of eternity, we will never know the answers to all of our “whys.” But we can and do know that God is at work, even in the midst of a tragedy. Like Habakkuk, we can declare …

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”
(Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Do you struggle with questions concerning evil and suffering? If so, please take advantage of Hope For The Heart’s free Quick Reference excerpt below entitled Evil and Suffering … Why? as a gift from our ministry.

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What God Says

“In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.” (Psalm 118:5)

More verses: Psalm 142; Jeremiah 29:11