“O taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Psalm 34:8
When
one is engulfed in the midst of intense suffering, it’s easy to lose their
bearings. Questions arise reflexively:
Is God Really in control? How can a good God allow so much pain? Is God
good? Such emotions and thoughts require
an anchor that keeps us tethered to the truth so we don't drift when we
encounter suffering. God Controls All
Things, Including Evil…don’t make the mistake of separating God’s sovereignty
from suffering in your life. Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things of old: for I am
God…declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that
are not yet done…” the scriptures are clear concerning God’s sovereignty over
evil (Amos 3:6; Isaiah 45:7). Christianity is not a dualistic yin and yang in
which God and Satan are fighting it out in an evenly match, uncertain who will
win. Satan is a created creature like us
in that God’s sovereignty works within our created free will. Even though evil may appear random and out-of-control,
God does not remove Himself from the events of evil nor lose His sovereignty
over it. Consider the analogy like that
of an author: “God is the author, The world is his story, We are the characters.”
Since God is sovereign over evil, does
that mean God is not good? Deut. 32:4 says, “He
is the rock., his work is perfect…just and right is he.” The scriptures affirm God’s goodness in a
fallen and broken world. At the same
time He does not turn a blind eye to evil. It’s not strange to view the problem
of evil as a mystery…Paul states in Romans 11:33
“O the depth of the riches both of wisdom
and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past
finding out.” Even so, evil does not
have the final authority or word, in fact evil digs its own grave. Evil, like a Judoist, can only take advantage
of the power of good and renders it for his own. Yet, God uses it to redeem His people for His
glory who love Him. The greatest example
of God’s goodness and sovereignty prevailing over evil is our greatest
gift. God makes the supreme crime, the
murder of the only Righteous Man the most evil act in history an act of Holy
Redemption for His creation, a purchase of hope and eternal salvation. At the
Cross, God turned evil against itself, making atonement for our own acts of
evil by conquering death and triumphing over evil! The Cross clearly shows God’s
sovereignty of over evil. If you doubt
His sovereignty over evil, look at the Cross (Acts 4:27-28);
doubt His goodness, look to the Cross (Rom 8:32);
overwhelmed by pain and sorrow, look to the Cross (Rom 8:37)…Our
greatest rebuttal to evil is our Hope of the Cross!
HSAY…Todd
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