5. Summer in the Psalms - The Goodness of Evil

The question of evil is one of the most difficult questions Christians face. As we look at the brokenness of the world around us, it is easy to become discouraged and wonder what God is doing. Like the psalmist in Psalm 13, we may find ourselves crying out, "How long, O Lord?" At times, it can seem as though the world is spinning out of control, leaving us to wonder where God is at work in the midst of it all. As we continue our study of Psalm 119 this week, we find the psalmist still wrestling with the affliction brought on by the "arrogant" and the "insolent" who oppose and mock him. Yet we also see the psalmist honestly acknowledging his own weakness and suffering. Rather than abandoning him in his affliction, God—whose steadfast love (HESED) never fails—uses even life's hardships for His glory and for the good of His people (Romans 8:28). The psalmist trusts that, even in the darkest moments, God is at work, using suffering to shape, restore, and draw him closer to Himself. That same hope is available to us today. When life feels uncertain and tragedy seems ever-present, we can turn to God's Word and to the God who inspired it. In Him we find lasting hope, unshakable peace, and the assurance that He is working all things according to His perfect purposes. Join us this week as we wrestle with the difficult question, "Why does God allow evil to exist?" We will approach this question not as skeptics seeking to discredit God, but as His children, longing to find comfort, wisdom, and hope in the presence of a gracious Father who delights in meeting us in the midst of our struggles. -Pastor Brandon For this week's Scripture and notes: http://bible.com/events/49615482