The contrast between evil and good has been in the news and on our front pages this week.

It was a thrill to see Dr. Brantley on the news yesterday as he left Emory University Hospital hand in hand with his wife. It is a miracle that he is alive and expected to live a full life. Ebola is a deadly virus that kills 30 to 90 percent of its victims. Dr. Brantley credited God and the many prayers around the world for his healing. I praise God for it – as we all do.

In the same week we learned a family of deep faith lost their son to a gruesome beheading by the barbaric group called Issis. Evil seemed to triumph. Josh Foley’s parents  prayed earnestly for his release. Many prayed for him as they had prayed for Dr. Brantley. Prayed for his safety and release. Even the Pope prayed. Why were their prayers not answered?

How do we juxtapose those two events? Why did  God not answer one prayer but He not answer the other? Do we have to make ourselves theological pretzels to make sense of it? Are there answers?

First, God did answer both prayers. Just because one was answered as we hoped does not mean He didn’t answer the other. We do not know the mind of God.

I will be the first one to tell you that I don’t have an answer and anyone who does, is not being honest. There are just some things we don’t and can’t understand. I can tell you I believe in the sovereignty of God with all my heart. I know He is in control and He has a plan. His plans are being worked out even now – though we may not be able to see it. What we see is not all there is.  There are major events happening in the spiritual realm right now. There is so much more we don’t know. I can’t help but believe that God is setting the stage for the return of Christ.

I believe the events in the past week illustrate the intense battle being fought between good and evil. We do know evil has already been defeated at the Cross – Christ is triumphant. Every knee will bow and acknowledge He is Lord of Lords. One day…

But back to here and now on earth there is suffering and heartache. Let us be faithful to the One who is at work in every circumstance. I don’t know who said it but, I like the quote, “When we can’t see His hand we can trust His heart.” If you are suffering today I offer no pat answers no cliches but a trust in the character of God Who is just, merciful, all-loving, all-wise, all-powerful, big, good, compassionate, near, faithful and the only true Hope in the world.