Why Does God Allow So Much Trouble In The World?

Good News – October 2021 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Why Does God Allow So Much Trouble In The World?

The problems in the world are immense. Why do the innocent often suffer for the guilty? Why has the standard of right and wrong collapsed? Why are there wars? These and other questions cause many people to doubt God and to question His existence.

Part of the answer to such questions can be found in Psalm 115:16, which says, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; but the earth He has given to the children of men” (NKJV). Yes, the earth has been given to man by God. It is therefore man who is responsible for the problems in the world, not God! Moreover, it seems clear when the question is asked, “Why doesn’t God stop the trouble?” that His ability is not in doubt, but rather that He does not seem to act. So then, why does God apparently do nothing about it?

Think for a minute, because this is the real answer: What God must stop is people; it is their violence, jealousy, selfishness, dishonesty and a great many other things. Are we prepared to let God stop these things in us? The whole issue, therefore, is essentially a personal one. What about your selfishness, your envy, your anger, your sin? The message to the individual is: if you are not prepared for God to start in your own life, you can never again justly ask the question, “Why doesn’t God stop the trouble?”

One thing is certain: a day is coming when God will break into world affairs in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, to destroy everything that is evil and sinful in the world. If we refuse to be separated from what God must judge, namely the sin in our own lives, then inevitably we become involved in its judgment. If God appears to be silent now, it is because He longs to deal with people in mercy instead of judgment (2 Pet. 3:9).

When the question is asked, “Why doesn’t God stop the trouble?” have you ever thought about the cross? Why didn’t God stop it there? Why didn’t God deliver His Son from judicial murder at the hands of wicked men? There is only one answer to that: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities” (Isa. 53:5). God allowed it in order that the judgment of our sin should be borne at the cross. He is, therefore, now able to deal with mankind in mercy because judgment has been met.

Yes, all will be judged. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” The only difference is this: all who put their trust and faith in a crucified and risen Christ are able to say that judgment for them is not future, but past. The wonderful thing is that, in response to repentance and faith, God can give you power to stop the trouble in your own life. He will impart His life and His power to you. “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (Jn. 1:12). We can tell you more.

This article is available as the gospel tract “Why Does God Allow So Much Trouble In The World?” from Grace &Truth.