If God is Good, Why Do Bad Things Happen?

Romans 5:8

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If God is good, why do bad things happen? This is a big question, one that people will continue to ask until the end of time, and one that we’ve tried to address here on Peace Devotions, [Why do bad things happen to Christians?] [Why Doesn’t God Do Something?] although there’s only so much you can do in a short video. But I think part of the answer to that question is that we’re asking the wrong question.

If God is good, why do bad things happen? Is a question that looks out in the world at the evil around us, instead of the evil that’s right here. I’ve said things that aren’t true. Done things I shouldn’t have done. Taken things that aren’t mine. If I really wanted God to get rid of all the bad in the world, he’d have to get rid of me too. If God is so good, why does he let me happen? As bad as I am.

God doesn’t get rid of all the evil in the world because he wants to save and rescue the wicked, including us.

But God shows his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Despite our sin he still loves us and wants to save us. There’s nothing in us worth saving. We’ve done nothing but offend him and hurt others. No, God is motivated solely by his love for us. What has God done about all the evil in the world? He sent his Son to suffer it all. Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame. He suffered rejection and torture and shame and death on a cross. The worst the world has to offer to redeem us and to rescue us from this fallen world.

What does God do about all the evil in the world? He promises to take us from it and deliver us safely to the eternal joys of heaven.

Now, I understand that rephrasing the question in this way doesn’t give an answer to wars or famines or earthquakes, but it does help us understand how a good God interacts with an evil world, with love and a desire to save. Amen.