Welcome to Wednesday, August 11th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

The Problem Of Evil and Suffering

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Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

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The Problem Of Evil and Suffering

In recent years, a number of unbelievers have challenged me with various questions concerning the problem of evil and suffering in the world. Even believers struggle at times in this area.

These unbelievers usually word the question something like:

If this God you are talking about is so wonderful, why does He allow so much evil and suffering in the world?

Often, the purpose for asking such a question is to derail the conversation over sin and their need for a Savior. Even though these individuals might have an ulterior motive for asking the question, I understand their confusion and concern.

First of all, the evidence of evil and suffering is on display all of the time through news reports and personal observation and experience.

From a human reason standpoint, it does seem contrary to what we know about our omniscient God. Human reason finds it to be a challenge to reconcile a belief in an omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent God, with the existence of evil and suffering.

This topic is much too large for a short devotional, but let me share a few thoughts with you.

When God created the heavens and the earth, as noted in Genesis 1:1, He created a perfect world with no sin or defect. He placed two perfect human beings upon this earth; each created with free will.

Genesis 1:1 NAS95

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

God placed a condition upon the living practices of Adam and Eve.

Genesis 2:16-17 NAS95

The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely;  [17]  but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die."

When Adam and Eve transgressed God’s command, sin entered into the world along with its manifestation - suffering. The world was, as we would say, turned on its head, something totally opposite of what God intended.

Man’s intellect fell along with every aspect of this world. As a result of sin, evil thoughts, motives, and actions became ingrained in the human spirit.

Since we are participants in this world, we are subject to the effects of evil and suffering. Even creation was affected. We now have tornados, hurricanes, and famine along with a host of other natural disasters. Men and women die from old age as well as a multitude of accidents and diseases. This is a fallen world.

Using our human reason, we find it difficult to reconcile what we see and experience with an omnipotent God. However, as an all-powerful God, He is in control of all things, including the passing of time.

God’s Word says that a day is coming when all evil and suffering will be defeated. God sent Jesus as the one who would conquer sin and death. His death and resurrection made it possible for fallen human beings to be forgiven of their sin and to be assured of an eternity living in a perfectly restored world.

As believers, we trust in the words of:

Romans 8:28 NAS95

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Can we answer all the questions associated with the topic? We cannot, but we can trust in the Word of our God.

Revelation 21:4-7 NAS95

And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."  [5]  And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He *said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."  [6]  Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.  [7]  "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

The new creation spoken of in Revelation 21 will be like the initial creation, perfect in every way.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Help us to see past the evil and suffering of this world to the time of a restored creation, to a time of being in Your presence for all eternity.

Help us not to dwell on questions which our human understanding struggles with.

Strengthen our faith and trust in You this day.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!