They have a viable question.
Why do over two hundred thousand people die every day, why is there so much suffering and pain, why are there so many wars, greedy people who kill for gain. Why do the rich prevail and subdue the poor, a thousand questions of why, why if there is a God in heaven does He allow these atrocities and why has He, if indeed He does exist and is Sovereign, has it gone on for thousands of years.
They honestly want to know why, and your answer to them will be what?
“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6)
“Well it sure would be nice if He would change,” they might say, “because this isn’t right.”
“Why should I love someone who has no problem with letting babies die of horrible diseases, with allowing murderers and thieves to run rampant, why should I serve a silent God?”
And you will say to them what?”
Here is something you had better admit to yourself, God is letting all this happen, and for as long as it has been happening, thousands of years now, He doesn’t seem to be doing much about it.
“Oh, I see,” they may say, “as long as I love Him and serve Him, I won’t have to go to hell, is that right?”
And you will answer them what?
Yes, the Almighty allows suffering, He even kills people, and if you do not accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will burn forever. These words are truth, but can you say them to those who ask these questions of you.
This is a very difficult letter to write my friends, for it reveals what might be called a side of God that we do not like to look at, what some call the silent God.
“And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” (Jer. 24:7)
Service to God or an eternity of horrific pain, a life lived watching unrighteousness rule over this planet, of Satan imposing his will upon mankind.
“So, if He knew all this, why make Satan in the first place, why create a being whose sole intention is fueled by hate?”
And you will answer them what?
They want to know, and they have a right to know. You could offer them 2nd Thessalonians 2:7, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” and tell them that without the intervention of the Holy Spirit this planet would be far worse off than it is today.
“Great, so all you’re telling me is that it could be worse, that doesn’t answer my question, why is He silent today and has been for two thousand years?”
And you will say to them what?
You could tell them that He loves them, that His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can save them from the wrath to come.
“And what good does that do today, answer the question, why doesn’t God do something about all this?”
And you will say what to them?
They are right you know, in a sense they are right, people are suffering and dying every day and the Lord seems silent.
This letter is not meant to test your faith, though it might, it is to prepare you for these people, those that will want an answer. Telling them of the origin of sin and its consequences, of the wrath of God upon the wicked, of punishment for sin does not answer the question, they want to know not about sin and its effects, what they want to know is if this is indeed a God of love that you speak of, why is He silent?
Why doesn’t He do something about it, not tomorrow, today.
And you will tell them what?
I will not speak for the Living God in this matter, for at times I have found myself wondering the same thing.
