I believe there are many reasons why God allows evil and suffering to continue at this time. For sincere and searching hearts I would encourage you to read Randy Alcorn’s insightful book If God Is Good… As I conversed with my friend I pointed out the cross necklace hanging around his neck. I believe God’s ultimate solution for crossing the problem of suffering and evil is found in the cross of Christ. Consider this acrostic for the cross.

C – The CHARACTER of God is seen in the cross. God does not stand aloof from suffering and evil. The cross is God’s physical statement of His love and commitment. At the cross there was a collision between Satan, a sinful race, and a gracious God. Jesus laid his body down to bridge the gap between fallen man and God’s salvation plan. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8)

R – The REDEEMING blood of Christ broke the curse of sin and death for all who will believe and receive Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. (I Peter 1:19-20) “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’)” (Galatians 3:13). In Christ even the earth will someday be redeemed. (Romans 8:18-23; II Corinthians 5:1-6)

O – The OMIPOTENCE, OMNIPRESENCE, and OMNISCIENT attributes of God are seen at the cross. It was God’s plan from eternity past. Jesus is “the lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). God is all good, all powerful, and all knowing. He will ultimately judge evil doers and remove evil and suffering after accomplishing a greater eternal good. Through Christ’s redemptive suffering and resurrection He triumphed over evil and death and enables his children to triumph over evil and death. (Isaiah 25:8)

S – The SIN of the world was defeated at the cross. As I was ministering at a prison we sang the old hymn “Amazing Grace”. But I did a double-take when we came to the tenth word. “Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound that saved a ‘soul’ like me!” The word “wretch” had vanished from the hymn book, replaced by the more positive word “soul”. What would the composer and former slave trader think? John Newton recognized himself as a “wretch” – that’s what made God’s grace so “amazing”. “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8).

S – The SAVIOR is the answer to suffering and evil. If we weren’t so bad without Christ, then why did he have to endure the cross? Paul said if men were good enough without Jesus, then “Christ died for nothing” (Galatians 2:21). “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). The Savior is the answer to crossing evil and suffering.

My friend’s Mustang has won him many trophies. The author of “The Old Rugged Cross” penned this, “So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross – ‘Til my trophies at last I lay down, I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.”