What if God freely chooses to restrain himself?

The gospel according to David Hume:

“Epicurus’ old questions are yet unanswered. Is [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? whence then is evil?”

This question of evil is quite significant.
This question from an atheist makes no sense.

Why?

Asking the question assumes a moral standard. A moral standard assumes a moral law. A moral law assumes a moral law-giver. Claiming no moral law-giver negates the law and the standard and the distinction between good and evil.

The existence of evil and our ability to recognize it as such might be likened to tossing a pebble into the reality of a pond that one is trying to deny even exists.

It doesn’t make sense.

There are answers to such questions that do make sense with a paradigm that includes God. These old questions have been answered. Only the answers don’t satisfy a person who is not satisfied with allowing God to be included in the answer. How interesting that God is used in the questioning but entirely unacceptable in the answering.

Regarding the existence of evil, perhaps the following answer will make sense.

Free will and divine restraint.

Free Will.
For free will to exist beyond some illusion or delusion of the mind, it must be allowed the legitimate choice of good or evil. There are many, regardless of creed [atheist, theist, and everything in between], who choose good. But it is a delusion to think that they always choose good. There are some, regardless of creed, who choose evil. There are consequences to the actions of individuals that affect other individuals or the community to which they belong. This is the source of evil, regardless of creed. 

Divine Restraint.
In order for the free will to be free indeed, God must restrain himself from influencing the consequences of humanity’s use of free will. This would be true regardless of his existence. If he doesn’t exist, then it is obvious that he would exert no force in this matter. If he does exist, then it is obvious that he operates with a measure of divine restraint.

This divine restraint may make people mad, or might even leave some impotent questions unanswered. People would get mad either way, angered by the loss of free will or by the consequence of poor decisions that were made without thought of unintended consequences.

These questions are asked by people who don’t want to hear any answer. These questions are asked by people who don’t want to find out that God exists.

The existence of evil points to an existence they want to deny!