“Therefore the LORD tarries so that He may be gracious to you; therefore He will be exalted in showing you compassion, for the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all who tarry for Him.”
— Isaiah 30:18
Why God Waits
One of the oldest and most common objections to God’s existence goes something like this:
If God is all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful, why does He allow evil and suffering?
The argument assumes that an all-good and all-powerful God could not permit evil; therefore, His very existence must be impossible or, at best, unworthy of worship.
Mic drop. Case closed.
Or is it?
This reasoning collapses under Scripture’s own revelation of God’s nature and purpose.
False Assumption #1: People Just Need More Information
The problem isn’t a lack of evidence.
Paul writes in Romans 1:18–26 that humanity’s unbelief is not intellectual but moral:
“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who suppress the truth by their wickedness… For what may be known about God is plain to them.”
The rejection of God is not ignorance—it’s rebellion.
People don’t fail to believe because they lack data; they reject the data because they love darkness.
False Assumption #2: Belief Originates in Human Will
Faith is not self-generated. It is a gift of grace.
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:3–9:
“Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath, but because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ… For by grace you have been saved through faith—and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
Left to ourselves, we remain dead in sin. Only the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the truth.
The Overlooked Dimension: Time
Critics often ignore a crucial element in the question of evil and suffering—the dimension of time.
God is not indifferent to evil; He is patient toward sinners because of His redemptive plan.
If God were to eradicate all evil immediately, He would have to eradicate us.
As Jesus said in Mark 7:20–23,
“From within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness… These evils come from within and defile a man.”
Evil isn’t merely around us; it’s in us.
Therefore, God’s delay in judgment isn’t weakness—it’s mercy.
He withholds justice so He can extend grace.
The Cross: God’s Answer to Evil
From before creation (Revelation 13:8), God foreknew our rebellion—and resolved to redeem it through His Son.
The right question is not Why does God allow evil?
It’s Why would God humble Himself to rescue the very rebels who caused it?
The answer is always the same: love.
John 3:16–18 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…”
Romans 5:8–10 – “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 John 4:9–10 – “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
At the cross, God’s perfect justice and perfect mercy meet.
Sin is punished. Grace is provided.
The Judge bears the judgment.
Why God Waits: Mercy in Motion
Paul asks in Romans 9:22–23:
“What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory?”
That’s the heart of Isaiah 30:18—God tarries so that He may be gracious.
Every second He withholds judgment is another moment of mercy for sinners to repent.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9
The Folly of the Proud
The wisdom of this world mocks such patience.
But Scripture says,
“He catches the wise in their craftiness.” — 1 Corinthians 3:19
Many use suffering as an excuse to stay in rebellion, claiming moral high ground against God.
But in doing so, they ignore the real issue: their own sin.
God is not complicit, incompetent, or incapable.
He is tarrying, enduring the rebellion of men so that His mercy might reach every vessel He has purposed for redemption.
Two Outcomes
Meanwhile, for those who persist in hardness of heart, Scripture warns:
“Because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s righteous judgment. God ‘will repay each one according to his deeds.’” — Romans 2:5–6
But for those who repent and wait on the Lord:
“Blessed are all who tarry for Him.” — Isaiah 30:18
The Final Word
God’s delay is not neglect; it is compassion.
His patience is proof of His love.
And when His time is fulfilled, justice will roll down like waters, and mercy will stand vindicated.
The cross proves that God can be both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Until that day, every moment of breath is mercy extended—an invitation to repent, believe, and rejoice that the Lord tarries so that He may be gracious.
Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
BigIslandChristianChurch.com
