Monday, April 15, 2013

Why Does God Allow Injustice: Modern, Biblical Plea and Response

So many things in this world make us all wonder why.

Why?

Why are innocent children slaughtered and why are people dying and having limbs ripped apart by strategically placed bombs? "Why does God allow this?!"is the cry that I think we all have at moments like the bombing today in Boston and the elementary school mass shooting several months ago."WHY?! Why God?!" It's hard and painful in ways that can't be expressed.

But then, I look at the Bible. I see that I and other 21st century people are not alone in this plea.

The Old Testament prophets cried out to The Lord,"Why do you allow this injustice!!!?? Why do you allow the murder of my people!? Why do you allow seige and famine to get to to the point that mothers are eating their own children to survive??!!!"

And in Revelation I see the souls of saints under the altar crying out, "When will you avenge us?! OH GOD! When will justice be done?!" And I hear Christ telling them to wait a little longer until the number of slain martyrs has been fulfilled.

And most poignant and painful of all, Jesus himself crying out to the Father, "Let this cup pass from me! I don't want to die...WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME!!?" And if anything, seeing the same plea that goes out in the face of modern injustice and evil be shared by those in scripture, and even God himself is even more difficult. But at the same time, it is strangely reassuring. And it gives me a glimmer of hope.

God recognizes the injustice of the prophets' time by saying that judgement and restoration will come to pass.

To the murdered saints he gives the reassurance that even though many more horrors will take place, they WILL be vindicated.

And to Christ, afraid and anguished in the garden of Gethsemane, he sends angels to encourage him, the strength to carry on, and most of all the knowledge that yes he will face torture and brutal death, but that in the end this will make his triumph and victory all the more glorious.

All of this gives me hope.
Justice WILL be done.
We WILL be vindicated.

And though we and the rest of humanity will suffer, in the end that will make our victory even more amazing and powerful.