Ask the Pastor

By Pastor Scott Denham of Harvest Fellowship, Shambaugh, IA

Clarinda Herald Journal Publication Date : 01/02/2008

God is Good

“If God is so good, then why does he allow bad things to happen?”

I am asked this question more than any other. Variations surface in a thousand other questions, but at the root lays this universal perplexity. I have written a number of times to address the issue, usually emphasizing that evil is possible in a world of free choices and that pain is inherent in a fallen creation.

Most often I have pointed people to the love and wisdom of God's ways working out God’s eternal purposes. I believe that these approaches offer a biblical and intellectually satisfying answer to the so-called “problem of evil.” However, I would like to look at the problem from another perspective.

Do you realize that such a question can be a subtle accusation of God, one that has its ultimate source in demonic activity? Consider the devil's exchange with Eve in the Garden of Eden. God generously and freely gives all things to Adam and Eve, forbidding only, their access to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:17). It is upon this one denial that the devil questions and vilifies God's character (Gen 3:1-5). In essence, the devil suggests to Eve that God’s rule is unjust and that, therefore, her disobedience is justified.

Remember that God is love, has all wisdom, has all power, and does all things according to His good purpose (1 John 4:16, Phil 2:13). Conversely, the devil (who is having a hard time convincing man there is no God) must rely upon deception (Rev 20:10). If he cannot get someone to disbelieve in God's existence, then he attempts to persuade man of the injustice of God's rule.

It is possible that behind all human discontent and ingratitude, lies an accusation against God. Something bad happens, and we secretly feel we deserve better. With a jaundiced eye, we question the goodness of God. "Surely, if He were loving and good, He would not have allowed this situation,” we reason.

God welcomes difficult questions, brought honestly and humbly. Those questions, when answered, can become the means to a stronger faith. But lingering doubts, left unresolved through spiritual laziness, and fueled by demonic deception, can undo a tenuous faith.

So cut it out! Have a little faith in the God you love! Beware the subtle deception! Abraham did not understand God's judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, but he did understand God's heart and ways: "Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" he asked (Gen 18:25).  Therein lies our remedy. If we would endeavor to understand God and to know Him better (Eph 1:17), then we will peacefully bear those things we do not understand

--Pastor Scott (www.askpastorscott.com)