JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING

"Weeping May Endure for a Night, but Joy Cometh in the Morning." Ps 30:5

Many people have lost sight of the precious promises of God because of the tragedy they see in the world all around them. They say, "If God is love, why does He permit such evil to plague His children?" In answer, we could draw one of three conclusions: either God doesn’t care; He doesn’t exist; or perhaps we have a misconception of His plans and purposes, and we have been attributing blame to the wrong source for all of the suffering. The Apostle John answers the question thus: "God is love." #1Jo 4:8

Although God now permits evil in the world, He does not cause it. #2Co 4:4 describes Satan as the "god of this world," and it was his influence that contributed to man’s fall. By allowing this, God is teaching mankind to hate the painful results of sin, and thus, to learn to love Him and His righteousness of their own free will.

God created man perfect and in essence gave him this choice: If you obey my righteous laws, you will live forever, but if you disobey, you will die. Adam failed this test of obedience, and since that time all of mankind has experienced the painful result. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Notice he did not say burn forever. #Eze 18:4

Because God is love, He will not always permit Satan to reign with his evil ways. God’s plans include a merciful escape from suffering and death by providing a corresponding price for Adam’s sin, and thus, for ALL of his descendents. "As in Adam ALL die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive." # 1Co 15:22 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." #Ro 6:23

But when? Man is weary of this evil world. Jesus "gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." #1Ti 2:5, 6 We know that the due time is near for we see events prophesied to mark this time happening in the earth today. Daniel states, "How long shall it be to the end? ... many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." #Da 12:6, 4 This prophecy is now unprecedented in history! We are living on the threshold of the complete fulfillment of the "times of restitution of all things [a paradise worldwide], which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." #Ac 3:21

Yes, God is Love. Satan would have us think otherwise, but in God’s due time, all will know of His goodness, "from the least of them unto the greatest of them." #Jer 31:34 Then will come the promised joy in the morning, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." #Re 21:4

To learn more about God’s loving plan, write for your free copy of WHY GOD PERMITS EVIL. This booklet will strengthen your faith, as it provides answers which harmonize the Scriptures and illuminate the hope found therein.

"The ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." #Isa 35:10