The End of Evil

The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.

2 Peter 3:9 (CEV)

Murderers. Rapists. Abusers. Why does God allow them to keep living? How can he continue to stand by and watch the innocent suffer?

Evil is something humans have wrestled with since the beginning of time. Why doesn’t God do something? His Word promises a judgment day is coming and wrongs will be punished. So why wait?

Well, for one thing, he waits because he is giving more people a chance to repent, to ask for forgiveness of their sins and become one of his followers. He waits and watches for what we will do.

Our longing for justice comes from him. He is the reason we know right and wrong. And he will make it all right one day.

The thing to remember is we are also deserving of that judgment. But instead of letting us face punishment for our sins, he drew us to himself and gave us the chance to choose him. And certainly, we know people who we want to see come to Jesus, and we ask God for mercy, for more time, for them also.

So the bottom line is this: trust God for his wisdom and justice and love, and thank him for his patience. He alone knows how to handle all evil. We have to believe he will make all things right at the right time.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Who do you want to see come to Jesus? Who would amaze you if they became a Christian? Start praying for them now! Create a target list, pray for them daily, and ask God how he can use you to show them his love.

INSPIRATION

“Patience is a companion of wisdom.”

—Augustine of Hippo, a theologian and philosopher who lived in 400 AD and whose writings influenced western culture and the church

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Exodus 34:6–7

Psalm 86:15

Romans 2:4

2 Peter 3:15