QT 10 Nov 15, Isa 59:1-2, God does hear and can intervene, but he chooses not

Isa 59:1-2 (ESV) Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,

or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;

2  but your iniquities have made a separation

between you and your God,

and your sins have hidden his face from you

so that he does not hear.

NOTE: This is one answer to the age-old question of why God does not intervene to prevent evil from happening. God says that our sin, our choice to live life without him, is why he refuses to act. It is not an issue of power or lack of knowledge. God knows about it and God could intervene, but he chooses not. This started in the garden during what we call the "fall of man." Essentially, mankind chose self-rule over God's rule. God allowed it, but warned man that he would not like the results of man in charge. Access to the tree of life was cut off, resulting in death. Sin slowly destroyed the foundations of the planet in some unknown way, causing many of the disasters of today. One might argue, "but what about innocent babies?" First, God never calls anyone innocent in scripture, even the most righteous person. Second, if the baby is in fact sinless, the cynic's argument is then based on the fact that life on earth must be better than life in heaven (which would only be speculation, since the original idea of eternal life was life and purpose on earth). Third, in a technical sense, since God is the creator, the potter (so to speak), what difference does it make what he does with the pottery, since he could have just decided to not create as well as to create? But none of these questions or diversions deal with the real issue--we chose life away from God and we need to repent and to return to God.