The debate is raging over why the recent tragedy occurred in our land. People wrestle with the question, “If God is good and all powerful, why is there so much evil and suffering?” Ponder these truths:
Because the world is broken. God created paradise in the Garden of Eden from which man and woman were driven due to their rebellion against God. The earth was cursed because of man’s sin. God gave us free will to choose how to live. With that choice came the consequences of disobedience. Paul wrote, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned” (Romans 5:12, NLT). Everyone suffers in a broken world.
Because man is sinful. Though we would love to blame Adam and Eve for all our struggles, the fact is that we all have sinned. Though the consequences of our choices are not as obvious or painful as the recent tragedy, our sinful choices have had negative effects on people connected to our lives. The triple murder in San Saba two years ago, in which four were stabbed, shook our community. The double murder ten years ago still has ramifications. Interestingly, neither of these incidents involved a gun. The problem is not guns, but hearts. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. We have all made choices that have impacted others.
Because the devil is real. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10, NIV). The devil is a liar and a murderer (John 10:44). His hatred for God has wreaked havoc on this world. Though he is limited in what he can do, his presence leaves a trail of death and suffering. One day he will be completely powerless, confined to the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:10). Until that day comes, we must guard our hearts and minds from his influence and seek God persistently. Jesus told Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail” (Luke 22:31-32, NLT).
Because this nation has drifted from God. Ungodly influences have hindered prayer, mocked faith, scoffed the Bible, and ridiculed the church. We have persistently pushed God out of our lives, families, and culture. A nation that once exalted Christ as Savior has shaken a defiant fist toward heaven and pushed the Savior away. When the Lord is pushed away, He takes His blessings and protection with Him. Our nation is vulnerable to evil like never before. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn lived through the Russian Revolution. He once explained that when the older people were asked why such horrible things were happening to their nation, some would say, “Men have forgotten God; that is why all this has happened.” He later wrote, “But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous Revolution that swallowed up some sixty million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.”