For the past few months, I’ve been reading a few books about the nature of God and evil. One of the questions posed is, “Is evil the absence of good?” Is evil just a metaphysical apparition that humans make up to explain why bad things happen? I sometimes struggle with how EVIL reveals itself in the Bible, in the world around me, and within people. In one of the books I read, the author states there are two types of evils: Moral evil-that which humans do to other humans and natural evil -earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. Regardless how any of us have experienced evil, whether we call it that or not, we’ve often wondered, “WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?” If God is all mighty and power, why didn’t God prevent this? Why didn’t He intervene when this happened? Why is there so much suffering in this world?

The reasons why these questions are so important and why we all must wrestle with these questions, is because circumstances and situations within the world and people will disappoint us at someone point. How we think about God and the nature of evil also informs our beliefs surrounding the current COVID-19 situation just to name an example. Sometimes disappointments in life can be so extreme, it can leave some of us wondering what the whole point of life is. It’s better to wrestle with these questions now and not when crisis happens, but here we are during a national emergency still looking for answers.

Proverbs 3:5-8 tells us to, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (NIV)

God called his creation good. He called humans “very good.” Good, however, is not the same as perfect. Anything which is less than perfect (God) is subject to corruption. We live in a good but fallen world and we look forward to the time that is promised in Revelation 21:3-5, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (NIV)

As we wait for that day to come, be encouraged to know that God is still with you; God will never leave you or forsake you. God can be trusted as a good and loving God even though
evil remains in this world. In the end, God has already won the battle. In the meantime, continue praying, continue trusting God, continue washing your hands, continue checking in on one another, and remember that your life has been paid for by the blood of Christ. If God is for you, who can be against you?

- Pastor Jeremy Bower