The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. (Pr 16:4)
Many people struggle over the problem of evil. But it’s really not hard IF God is taken at His Word and we don’t sit in judgment of Him. It is written in Eph 1:11, “In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will…” God is God, we aren’t. Period. If Pr 16:4 is true (And it is), God made evil people for the day of evil. Consider the confluence of Pr 16:4 and Eph 1:11 as found in Acts 4:27-28 (With Job 23:13)...
For truly in this city (Jerusalem) there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place.
Regarding Jesus’ death, Herod and Pilate, the Gentiles and Jews all did what God willed to happen… of their own choice! Everything associated with Jesus’ death God willed… FOR GOOD AND HIS GLORY. Not only did not one single thing happen outside God’s will, He actually willed them all… for His glory in the resurrection. This means God did not leave our salvation to chance. He made SURE it would happen “so the Scripture would be fulfilled” (Mt 26:52-56).
Taking God at His Word from Eph 1:11 and Pr 16:4 means in the mystery of His will ALL THINGS and ALL PEOPLE ultimately carry out His divine and perfect will for His glory. I know some will struggle over those words, but it is not our place to question God on these things. As Paul wrote in Romans 9:15…
He (God) has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills. 19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist His will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use?
God’s glory is THE most important thing in the universe. How God determines that best takes place is His right. If that means building up or tearing down, He has the right to do it. If that means granting life or taking it, He has the right to do it. If that means a hurricane hits one place rather than another… a volcano erupts one place and not another… a tsunami occurs or doesn’t happen, that’s His decision. If that means one is saved and another isn’t, that is His right also. After all, everyone is commanded to repent and if they don’t it isn’t God’s fault (Acts 17:30).
The ultimate truth is all things and all people ultimately glorify God, even and especially when we don’t understand how it takes place. If that isn’t true, the the Word isn’t true. If the Word isn’t true, The Christian faith is meaningless. Just something to consider and contemplate about the greatness and glory of God.