Why Does God Allow Wrong?

Why does God tolerate corruption? Why does he tolerate the wrongness of the world?

Those are great questions. As a pastor, I know many people have approached me with variations on this very puzzling mystery. Why does God not intervene in a messed up world?

I can't always give a definitive answer to this. Sometimes, I just don't know and am just as puzzled as the person asking the question. That's one of the beauties of faith in Christ. He allows us to ask these questions and wrestle with the answers even if we never get a concrete solution.

That's what happens in the book of Habakkuk. Habakkuk is a prophet of the Lord who works as a temple musician in Jerusalem. He prophesies during a time of great corruption and wrong as Judah nears its end. In his prophecy, he begins by asking God why he tolerates wrong.

It's a great question, and unfortunately for Habakkuk, God doesn't provide a concrete answer. But elsewhere in the Bible, we can explore why. In Psalm 94, we see that God knows everything. That's important. It means God does not ignore problems. He is not oblivious to them. He sees them and knows them, even if he has yet to do anything about them yet.

Yet is such a key word. Psalm 94 also lets us know the wicked will not get away with wrong doing. They will be judged one day, even if that day isn't on Earth. They will face righteous judgment for a righteous judge in Jesus Christ. He will one day rule all of creation, judging fairly as the true king of creation.

However, we still have a role. In Hebrews 10, the writer lets us know that we are to spur each other to love and to good works. When wrong is everywhere and justice is compromised, as believers, we are to spur each other to love. We are to do good works when everyone else seems to profit from evil. In doing this, we point to Jesus Christ. He is the one that will rule perfectly. He is the answer to the plea for God's intervention.

Yet, he is delayed. He has not returned. As we wait for the day, as it grows closer, we are to continue to love other and serve them. In doing so, we point to Jesus Christ and honor his teachings. We put more people in contact with Jesus and prepare them for the time that is to come.

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