Mid speech the politician talking sheds a tear while the camera zooms in for a closer look on this tender moment. The crowd in the room and the viewer around the world quiets themselves and pauses to observe this deeply felt emotional discourse. Surely tears mean “truth-filled” words are coming from his or her lips and they overwhelm this elected government official. The need or desire must be so great that from deep within their spirit is a groaning to be heard and understood. But is it real or is it an act? I suppose that only the politician and God really know the answer to that question. But, the following are a few ills of this world that I pray politicians will one day weep about in order to provoke change:

• The thousands of babies who are dismembered, murdered, slaughtered every single day.
• Those homeless persons and families who went to sleep last night hungry and with no hope for change today or tomorrow.
• Those who have simply given up on ever finding sufficient employment.
• The impoverished, abused or abandoned child who cries himself to sleep on the floor every night.
• The children who will never experience the love, affirmation and approval of a loving and godly mother and  father to raise them.
• The elderly who are unable to retire from working because they simply cannot afford to.
• Those who are victims of human trafficking.
• Christians who are persecuted for their faith, imprisoned, tortured or beheaded.
• Decimated, severed and fractured families from divorce costing our culture insurmountable losses and pain. 

Jesus loves these persons. He weeps over the sinful choices of mankind. He gave His life a ransom to redeem every one of these life circumstances and He empowers us to not just weep with Him, but to pray and to ask Him what part we play in changing these real life conditions.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.  (Isaiah 9:6,7)

Have you ever asked or been asked the question, “Why is there so much evil in the world?” Or, have you been confronted by the person who wants you to defend your faith, all the while, claiming that if there truly were a “loving” God, humanity would not suffer as it does? I have also struggled to answer that question. But perhaps there is an answer, an answer that is very difficult to admit. An answer that is not so complicated and one in which you do not need to be God’s defense attorney.

Here’s what I propose: the answer to why there is so much evil is me…you…us. The problem is the heart of mankind since the fall (Genesis 3). But, let’s first think about what we’re actually asking. Are we arrogantly asking of God, “You know, since mankind is normally of such good character, why do You (God) allow so much evil?” It’s like we’re asking God whether or not the evil originates from Him, as if He’s the author or the creator. The far better question is, “Why didn’t God kill me yesterday for my sin and my disobedience to His word?”

Jeremiah said* that we didn’t listen, but rather followed the stubbornness of our own evil hearts. Isaiah said woe to those who call evil good and good evil, trying to be wise in their futile understanding. Jesus told us that out of our heart would come evil thoughts, murder, sexual immorality and other sins. He spoke these words, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:45, 46) There is no escaping it; you and I, along with each person asking the question, are to blame. What is being “stored up” in your heart today?

(*See Jeremiah 7:24; 16:12; Isaiah 5:18-20; Matthew 15:19; Genesis 6:5; II Timothy 3: 1-5)