One Love Manchester: Justin Bieber Says 'God is Good in the Midst of Darkness, Evil, and He Loves You'

By Leah Marieann Klett
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber performs at One Love Manchester on Sunday, June 4, 2017. BBC

Justin Bieber told the crowd at One Love Manchester to remember that God is good in the midst of the darkness and evil and that He loves His people - no matter what is happening in the world.

Bieber performed at the event on Sunday held to commemorate the 22 lives that were lost when a suicide bomber targeted an Ariana Grande concert 13 days ago.

After singing his hit songs Love Yourself and Cold Water, the 23-year-old singer said: "I'm not going to let go of hope. I'm not going to let go of love. I'm not going to let go of God.

"Put your hands up if you're not going to let go," he said. "God is good in the midst of the darkness, God is good in the midst of the evil, God is in the midst no matter what is happening in the world.

"God is in the midst and he loves you and he's here for you."

His voice cracking, Bieber said: "I just want to honor the people who were taken - we love you so much. Put both hands up to honor those people right now. Everybody say 'we honor you and we love you'. Thank you so much for having me, guys."

"It's an honor for me to be here," he said. "And maybe I should just play some music, right?"

During his performance, Bieber also started a chant of the word "love" among the crowd.

Bieber, who has become increasingly outspoken about his Christian faith and regularly spends time with Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz and City Church pastor Judah Smith, joined a slew of celebrities, including Grande, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Coldplay, in performing at the concert to raise money for those affected by the Manchester terror attack. In addition to the 22 individuals killed, 100 people injured when a suicide bomber detonated his device in the foyer of the Manchester Arena at the end of the May 22 concert.

Grande herself closed the benefit concert with a moving rendition of the song Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and stated, "Manchester, I love you with all my heart. Thank you so so so much."

According to People, all proceeds from the concert, taking place at the Emirates Old Trafford stadium in the city, are going to the Red Cross's Manchester Emergency Fund to help victims and families impacted by the attack. Those who were at Grande's original gig were offered free tickets, and additional tickets sold out in just six minutes.

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