Why Does God Tarry In the Face of So Much Evil?

So, I had my second therapeutic massage session. I have been in not insignificant pain with my arm the past few weeks, growing steadily worse...

until....

massage!

Yesterday, the therapist whom I will call Miracula since she doesn't want me to divulge her identity, worked on me for almost three hours. This is unheard of, but she is trained in a gentle technique whose motto is gain without pain. It is very gentle and really the only approach that would work with me and my intensely tight muscles and very painful trigger points. The sessions take so long because the therapist works very slowly to ensure the client (yours truly) is not writhing in agony.

Bless Miracula.

My arm is not healed, not yet, but my whole body is feeling better and better. I am hopeful that my entire existence of painful overly taut muscles is about to end. I am going to learn what it means to relax.

Miracula and I had plenty of time to talk about a subject near and dear to both of us: God. We both have mutual desires that our family and loved ones would all know the Lord, and walk closely with Him.

"I know sometimes He needs to get our attention in increasingly painful ways," I said, "But I always pray, Bring them to you Lord as gently as possible."

It struck me how my prayer for God's gentleness parallels the gentle approach of my massage therapist. She takes a very long time because were she to try to do all she must do quickly, I would be in pain. Unbearable pain. Kick-her-in-the-teeth kind of pain. She might very well lose me were she to force my muscles to bend to her will. I would lock and chain the door for sure and never let her back in!

God tarries too. He doesn't force us to bend to His will. He beckons...and waits. Why Lord, we ask, why do you take so long when evil is so rampant, and so many innocents suffer? Why are you not pouring the full extent of your wrath on all the wretched sinners who are ruining the world you created?


Because Beloved, I would not have one precious soul be lost. And don't forget...you are one of those wretched sinners, saved by grace. What if I had not waited for you?

He will not wait forever. One day, His patience for the rebellion of those who have turned from Him will end. Praise God that thus far, He tarries, not wanting anyone to lose what He is so graciously and patiently offering.
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2 Timothy 2:25-26
correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,  and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.