It's easy to blame God since He's all powerful. God loves us very much, so much that He died for everyone, but in order to be saved we have to lose our independence and trust in His abilities. Evil happens in the world because of sin - disobedience. Now, God could force everyone to do His will but how loving would that be. God richly rewards those that live in faith - trusting in Him. You're trying to judge God for His inaction when in reality He's done all He can except to remove choice. The wages for sin is death, and we are born into sin, and the loving part of God saw that wasn't very fair so He came to the earth, lived like us, never sinned, and died for us on the cross and to show His ultimate power, rose from the dead three days later. God loves you and everyone, but He's not going to force people to love Him. If people don't believe in Him why should He act on their behalf? It's easy to blame others rather than ourselves.
As to understanding the bible, it's easy to run out to some church or listen to some sermon online, but how can you identify counterfeits from the real thing if you've never been trained. The Holy Spirit is given to us to help us understand the word of God and much more. God has already written His Law into your heart. We call it a conscience. Our parents were supposed to teach us right from wrong, but many of them nowadays don't know themselves, so the cycle of confusion continues. You cannot read the bible like a novel or reference book. You must take a single verse and study each word and what it means. It's called meditation and requires time. Our society has sacrificed good food for quick, cheap in quality microwave food. The sin within us is lazy and we don't want to take the time to study - that's why so many cheat in school and at work and in life. But you cannot cheat in the life of a follower of Christ. You must do your own homework and the Holy Spirit will help you find the truth. People will suggest all kinds or things or people to study, but what is it they're doing - your homework. Yes, you can listen to them but how can you identify the phonies?
Because we are bombarded day in and day out with the things of this world, it is imperative we keep in the Word of God (Jesus) not just the word of God (written Scriptures). To do that one must meditate, not like the Hindi with legs crossed and an empty mind, but the scriptural way:
Joshua 1:8 (KJV) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
The word
meditate is literally:
To be in continual contemplation over a matter. The
matter to contemplate is the word of God. Take a verse and meditate on it. Here's an example:
Psalms 1:2-3 (KJV) But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Before I begin, the word
law here is actually means
teaching - Torah - teachings of God, not just the Ten Commandments. So... one that meditates is one
like a tree STOP. A tree. Pondering a tree. A tree with deep roots isn't easily toppled by a storm. A tree hosts a place for birds to live and sing. The bark of a willow tree has the same chemical compound as aspirin. The tree sings when the wind blows through it. A tree provides shade when the heat gets too tough. A tree is immovable. Next:
a tree planted STOP. A tree planted implies there's a gardener and not just some wild tree, but one cultivated and cared for. If cared for then there must be a Caretaker. A good Caretaker will prune the tree to help it grow stronger and focus on the importance of growing roots instead of just showy heights. A Caretaker will put stinky manure to give the tree the nutrients it needs to grow. Next:
a tree planted by the rivers of water STOP. By the rivers of water. Water is essential to proper growth. So the supply is never ending, usually next to a river, but here it says
rivers, more than one. So the supply exceeds the demand and by a lot! Everyone wants to enjoy sitting next to a river of moving water. Moving water is fresh and clean. Peace reigns there on a warm sunny summer day and the river sings during the cold quiet days of winter speaking of the abundant supply of the Supplier when everything around seems dead. Next:
that bringeth forth fruit STOP. Before it gives fruit a tree must bloom with flowers. But just flowers isn't enough to produce fruit. Bees are necessary. They go from flower to flower pollinating the tree so the seed produces a seed within and sweet flesh around it. Bees... an interesting word in Hebrew. The word for
bee in Hebrew is
Deborah, yes, the name in English. But in Hebrew it also means the word
word. As the bee (word) goes from tree to tree (person to person), it spreads the pollen. Just like the word of God planted in the soul brings forth salvation to those willing to accept the Word! This word for
fruit in Hebrew also means
wealth. Do this meditation on
Psalms 23 to understand. Next:
bringeth forth his fruit in his season STOP. ...in his season. There is a time of planting, time of growing, time of hibernation, time of flowering, time of fruit. A strong tree grows very slowly while a weak tree grows tall quickly, but then is easy to topple in a storm. Time allows for growth and rest. Time allows for events to occur: energy to produce a flower; time to process the seed from the flower; time to grow the flesh around the seed; time for the flesh to sweeten; time to add new leaves to catch the sun for food and the wind to strengthen the wood. Next:
his leaf also shall not wither STOP. ...shall not. An absolute negative command. To
wither means to die, to become corrupt, to become diseased. What leaf doesn't wither? An evergreen tree! And lastly, because he meditates on the word of God,
whatsoever he does shall prosper. That person shall not lack anything because he puts his trust, faith, and confidence, in God.
The word
meditate literally means
to mutter, as in
to speak under your breath, to mubble. Why would that be important?
Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So, meditate on the word. Speak the word. Grow your faith! We all must do it! God Bless!