Only questions today.

I am having a tough time with Isaiah 54 today. God talks about how mighty He is and that He created everything, including that which destroys, and how He is in control of everything. At least, that is how I am reading it. But, it's not making sense to me. Why did He make evil and why does He allow it to flourish?

I consider myself lucky, compared to others. So many millions have never lived in peace, never eaten enough, never known a day without abuse. The list goes on. Yet, even my sheltered existence has not remained untouched by evil. (Yes, I am using the word, "evil", on purpose - that completely destructive thing that goes against everything good.) So, I am feeling a sense of despair.

Life can be so amazing! Why should it be marred in so many ways?