The things God do at times are usually unusual and foolish to men, especially to wise, thinking people. And in a world of pain and suffering many lose faith in God and some even reach the point where they don?t even believe that He exist! After all, if He did He wouldn?t allow the evil in the world to be a reality. They ask, ?Isn?t He a God of love?? When they lose someone or something dare to them they seek to know, ?Where are You, God?! Why are You not here??

St. John 11: 1 ? 44 tells the story of Mary and Martha, how they lost their brother, Lazarus and it made it clear that Jesus could have healed him, but delayed. This is what the natural mind cannot understand: Why would God delay in my time of need, desperation?! And I think it?s a fair question to ask. Where is God when the situation is out of our control? In verse 3 Jesus was told, ?Lord, the one You love is sick?, yet in verse 6 Jesus remained where He was for two whole days. How irrational!

The fact is this: Because He delayed Lazarus died! There is no breath in his nostrils, no warmth in his blood. He is dead! Here comes Jesus four days after Lazarus? death to wake him. When Martha heard of Jesus? arrival she rushed out to meet Him. ?Lord,? she protested, ?if You had been here, my brother would not have died.? Many people today are like Martha: ?Lord, if You were here, my brother would be alive; my business wouldn?t have died; my spouse wouldn?t have cheated; I wouldn?t fail at my endeavours; I wouldn?t lose my job!? The ?IF? we say places the blame in front and center of God, for He is the One with the might to prevent our suffering! He?s responsible?
The question still remains, ?Where are You, God?!? It is of a fact that God is all-wise and all-powerful, therefore since He knows all and has all the power, He is aware of what?s going on and can prevent any suffering. So why is He allowing it? Well, the truth is that we are all responsible for the suffering in the world: the chaos, death, destruction. It is because of sin why people suffer, whether those who suffer own sins or the sins of others. And not only people suffer, but whole creation groans and awaits salvation. [Romans 8:18 - 22]. Even creation suffers because of man?s sins. Sin is why people die and feel shame. Sin disturbs the original order, the perfect creation order of balance and made it into an unpredictable pattern. As the world turns things happen, both good and bad, to people who are deserving and undeserving.