I don't believe in God anymore

Dear Pastor,

I've always like reading your column in the papers and I've always wanted to write to you. I need your help.

I'm 19 years old and I haven't been to church in a long time, but it's not that I can't attend church, I just don't want to because I don't believe in God anymore.

I don't believe that the God we all talk about can just sit back and allow so many bad things to happen. Why would God allow a man to rape and kill a nine-month-old baby?

I just don't understand where God is when all these things are happening.

I used to pray every night before I went to bed, but now I don't. Pastor, I don't know what to do or what to believe. Is God really real?

I'm confused and I'm afraid that if He is real, I'm not going to be saved for thinking like this. But, I can't help it and I have no one to guide me through this. I patiently await your reply.

A

Dear A.,

I am very sorry to know that you have come to the place where you believe that you have a right to question God.

But, I must say that this has been done numerous times by people who believe that God is dead, or sleeping, and by those who claim to be atheists.

I can only assure you that God is not sleeping ,neither is He dead, and to tell you that men are committing crimes because they are totally depraved, from the crowns of their heads to the soles of their feet.

And I also wish to tell you that good people have questioned why has God allowed sinful men to destroy His world, including innocent people.

But, God is not like man, and although it may not appear that God is in control of this world, He is. And, He will judge man in his own time.

Some people may think that God is slow, but God is always on time. God's ways are not like those of man.

I would suggest that you read Psalm 73 and see similar complaints that the psalmist made against God. After you have done so, you should go back to church and meet with God on your knees.

Confess your foolish thoughts to Him and ask Him for forgiveness. Please, I beg you, change your attitude towards God.

Pastor