Even In the Silence
“If God Is Good, why is there Evil?”
Habakkuk 2:2-20

If God is good, why is there evil? 

Habakkuk
Doesn’t accuse God; he asks questions 
Calls it what it is: evil
Doesn’t live in denial or quick religious answers 
Meets with God

God’s response
1. Wait faithfully (Habakkuk 2:2-5)
Justice is coming; you can count on it
Don’t let the wait cause you to doubt me
Trust me and live by faith even when nothing makes sense 

2. I see the evil (Habakkuk 2:6-19)
People taking advantage of others (Habakkuk 2:6)
Those who hurt others because of greed and selfishness (Habakkuk 2:9)
The violence and careless treatment of people for gain (Habakkuk 2:12)
Drunkenness, Partyers, and sexual immorality (Habakkuk 2:15)
When ordinary life becomes our god (Habakkuk 2:19)

3. Justice delayed is not justice denied (Habakkuk 2:20)

“But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” –Habakkuk 2:20

Theological perspectives
Atheism: No God = no comfort
Finite Theism: God wants to help but can’t
Open Theism: God doesn’t know the future 
Evolutionary Theism: God is not all-knowing
Pantheism: God is both good and evil
Panentheism: God is greater than the universe; not interested  
Subjectivism: Good and evil is determined individually 
Biblical View: God is just and will deal with evil in time

God’s answer to evil
God sent His son to offer a way out of evil (John 3:16)
The cross is the ultimate example of suffering and injustice turned into glory (Isaiah 53:3, 10-11; Acts 2:23-24; Philippians 2:8-11; Hebrews 12:2)
Evil can be addressed in our hearts (Genesis 6:5; Proverbs 4:23; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Matthew 15:18-19: Ezekiel 36:26)
Jesus will conquer sin and evil (1 John 3:8; Colossians 2:15; John 1:29; Romans 6:10; Revelation 17:14, 21:4)
Until our faith becomes sight, we trust God until that day that is realized (2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1; Romans 8:24-25; John 20:29)
	
Evil is overcome one heart at a time, until God’s justice is revealed.