Good Evil?

Every once in a while, a Bible verse comes up that some people would like to brush under the carpet and pretend it does not exist. As I have been thinking about how incomprehensible our God is, thinking through that theme in the life of Job, such a verse appeared.

“Then all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all who had known him before, came to him, and they ate bread with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord brought on him. And each one gave him one piece of money, and each a ring of gold.” -Job 42:11

Many times we hear Christian leaders being quick to point out that God could not, would not be involved in “bad” things that happen on earth. Katrina? God was uninvolved. 9/11? God was uninvolved. Tsunami in Indonesia? No God there. Virginia Tech Shootings? God was absent. Our God is a God of love. He could not, would not be a part of such things…

One problem, though. The Bible. The truth. Truth is, God feels no need to disassociate Himself from acts of evil. Not that He is the cause of evil, but nothing happens apart from His ordination of it. When Job stood defiantly before the Lord and pled his own innocence (31:35-37), God felt no need to vindicate Himself, no need to blame Satan, no need to wiggle out. He simply spent some time (chapters 38-41) reminding Job of who He is, and by doing so, Job was reminded of who he was in light of this great God.

“I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” -Job 42:2-4

The problem became for Job, and is sometimes for us, that we try to tell God what is best. “God, You don’t understand, so let me tell you what You should have done and how You should have done it. Because this way is all wrong.” God’s response to that line of thinking can be found in Job 38-41. God allowed, even brought about, evil in the life of Job for His good purposes. Purposes that served to glorify Him, to refine Job, and to bring about even greater blessing in Job’s life. A very important thing to remember is that God’s involvement in things that seem horrible does not mean He is unloving, it simply means that we may have a harder time seeing how God’s love is being revealed through these situations.

Have difficult times come upon us? Are we questioning God’s motives? Are we questioning His presence? Be assured that He is ever present. Let’s not call His work into question, but ask Him how He desires to work in us through tough times. Let’s not feel obligated to make excuses for God in times of trial, but live with confidence that He who made all that is by the Word of His power is bringing glory to His name, and bringing good to pass for His children, even when we don’t see it.

Still doubt it? Look to the cross of Christ. A horribly evil act, completely orchestrated by God for the glorification of His name, and for the eternal joy of those who will believe. Do we ever doubt that this is of God? Has anything more evil ever happened than a completely undeserving man dying for our crime? Let this serve as a reminder of God’s presence in and control of all things, and His greater plan that works all things for the honor of His name and the joy of His people, even when it looks completely awful to us.

Father, make us people who trust You without wavering. You have proven Yourself worthy of such trust, but we are weak. We need You to give us the strength to trust You, by the power Your Spirit provides. And thank You for making us able to be people who trust You through the sacrifice of your Son on the cross. In moments where we are tempted to question You, let us remember Your faithfulness and trustworthiness. Amen.