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How many times have we heard this question asked when something evil in the world takes place? In
John 3:16, God tells us that He loves the world so much that He gave His one and only Son. So if God loves
us so much why does He permit evil things to occur? Why do wars, hunger, disease, and such things even
exist? Why have so many people been butchered, tortured, aborted, murdered, and beaten? Why does evil
even exist if God claims to love us so very much? Where is God when these evil things occur? Where is God
when a family loses a father, or a mother, or a son, or a daughter and they fall on hard times? Just where is
God?

You know Satan works hard every minute of every day to drive a wedge in the gap that Christ filled
between God and man. Satan hates happy God loving families. Satan hates it when we gather to worship our
Holy Father. Satan just simply hates anything that is good and will do anything to disrupt our relationship
with God. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour," (1 Peter 5:8). So is God ignoring us when Satan's evil is attacking His
children? The answer to this is a loud NO! If the answer is no then where is God when evil runs its course?
Well let me tell you. God is in the same place during a marvelous, color filled sunrise. He is in the same place
when enemies come together in peace. He is in the same place when couples dedicate their lives together in
His name. He is in the same place when we praise Him with song, prayer, and deed. He is here among us! He
is at your side right now. He is in control of everything that occurs and we must have faith that everything
that occurs is His will and for the benefit of mankind. Only He is God, and we, well we are not.

God makes His presence known in the power of every storm, in the beauty of each sunrise and sunset
and in the harmony of a bird's song. He was with each fire fighter and police officer that rushed into two
burning, collapsing buildings on September 11, 2001. He was with each person that suffered and died when
those same buildings gave way to Satan's evil. He has been with each person during every battle that has
been fought since the beginning of time. He is with us when we are happy, sad, defiant, or obedient. He is
everywhere, all the time, no matter what, forever!!

So does that answer our question? Not really you say? Does a father stand by and let something bad
happen to his son or daughter if he has the power to help? I would hope not. So why does God stand by and
let evil things happen to His children? The same children He tells that He loves. I will tell you now that it is
because He loves us that He lets these things occur. We must have faith that God has some purpose to allow
Satan to have an influence on weak-minded men and then to allow these same weak-minded men fly two air
planes into the World Trade Center buildings. As stated in 2 Corinthians 5 verse 7 "For we must walk by
faith, not by sight". (Emphasis mine).

It would be so easy for God to insist that every person on this planet believe and worship Him. He could
accomplish this with a simple thought. However, He chose to provide us with our own minds to think for
ourselves and our own hearts to feel for ourselves and yes this all boils down to free will. God gives every
human two basic paths to follow. The good, holy, righteous path or the evil, unholy, unrighteous path. Even
though He already knows which path we will select it is still our choice to make.

Reach out to God and instantly feel His Spirit fill your heart and bring instant peace to your soul. Ever
wonder why His grace is so instant? It is because He has been there, right there, beside you your entire life,
waiting for you to reach out to Him and seek His love. Ask Him to come into your heart. He does not expect
you to save the world, that is His work. But when He calls out to you and places conviction in your heart do
not ignore it. Do His will, and follow where he leads, for His path leads directly to paradise and comfort within
His arms.