We cannot know the mind of God

Whenever we see a good, young person die, the question of why God would let this happen often comes to mind. When we see an evil person live a long life profiting off the work or misery of others – constantly doing evil, we similarly ask God: “Why?” Though people have been studying God and his nature since the beginning, human wisdom has no answer. This is God: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Rom. 11:33, ESV) Unless he tells us, we can’t know why God acts or doesn’t act in specific ways.

God gives us ways to think about such questions

God acts in his time. “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:8–9, ESV) He may be giving that evil person more time to turn from evil, repent and be saved. After all, he’s God, “who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4, ESV) He may take the good person to their reward in heaven early to spare them from mishap. “For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.” (Isa. 57:2, ESV) It’s best, then, to let God be God and trust him in all things.