There is so much going on right now and things are
happening so fast that we barely have time to keep up with it.
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School shootings
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Politics
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Wars
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Economy
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Taxes
And I’m sure we can all add our own things to the list.
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Marriages
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Schools
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Relationships
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“Permissive” and “Progressive”
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Satisfaction
You get my point. There is so much going on and what are
we to do? To whom can we turn in these difficult times? Remember, the disciples
were struggling with this and more in Matthew chapters 24 and 25. The question seems
to be the same today as it was then, “How will we know when Jesus is coming
back?” And we seem to be asking more and more, “Where is God?”
Psalm 46 answers this by saying that “God is our refuge
and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
The writer goes on by saying even though terrible things
happen both in the physical world and the spiritual world, don’t be afraid. God
is in the midst of EVERYTHING, His plan will not be shaken, and He will NOT
give up His righteousness for anyone or anything. The writer finishes with God
saying, “Be still, and know that I am God. I am the one who
defeats the nations; I am the one who controls the world.”
“Be still and know that I am God.” Easy to say, harder to
apply.
The Bible says
there's one thing that gets God's fullest attention more than anything else,
and that is innocent blood which cries out to Him. Where is God in all the
terrible things that happen? He is Very present! He is all over every kind of
situation, giving His Grace as only He can do. We have no clue how to
understand it.
What we cannot understand is that it’s not so much about
whether God can or cannot do something. It’s about His plan for all creation and
His plan of redemption. He created and planned for us to have the ability to
make a choice. He made a way before the world was ever created for man’s
redemption. He knew full well that man would make foolish choices.
Nothing captures our attention more than some tragic event that happens that we scratch our heads and doubt God’s presence and His ability. What happened at the school shooting in December? Where were you on September 11, 2001? Where were you when your closest friend died at a young age? We can all clearly remember these things and what we were doing what we thought how we felt. We can vividly recall every thought feeling and emotion. God’s heart broke at each one of those because He was there and nobody noticed. But we still ask ourselves, “Where is God?”
Nothing captures our attention more than some tragic event that happens that we scratch our heads and doubt God’s presence and His ability. What happened at the school shooting in December? Where were you on September 11, 2001? Where were you when your closest friend died at a young age? We can all clearly remember these things and what we were doing what we thought how we felt. We can vividly recall every thought feeling and emotion. God’s heart broke at each one of those because He was there and nobody noticed. But we still ask ourselves, “Where is God?”
He was there when Adam rebelled in the Garden of Eden and
God promised a Messiah.
“Where was God?”
He was there when Noah built the Ark and destroyed those
who turned their back on Him.
“Where was God?”
He was there when Joseph was rotting in jail. When people accused and mistreated Joseph of doing something when He was really standing up for His God. Joseph was able to honestly say, “You meant it for harm, but God meant it for good.” I’m sure Joseph must have wondered at times where God was, in the end all knew well He was there all the time.
“Where was God?”
He was there when Joseph was rotting in jail. When people accused and mistreated Joseph of doing something when He was really standing up for His God. Joseph was able to honestly say, “You meant it for harm, but God meant it for good.” I’m sure Joseph must have wondered at times where God was, in the end all knew well He was there all the time.
“Where was God?”
He was there when Job lost everything he had because God
knew Job would not lose his faith. Job lost everything of value; even his
precious children. Where was God? Had He turned His back on Job? No. Would Job
return the favor by turning his back on God? No! God had not deserted Job. And
Job would not curse God, even though he was urged to do so.
“Where was God?”
He was there with Moses preparing Moses for greater service.
“Where was God?”
He was there with Moses preparing Moses for greater service.
He was with Jonah even when Jonah went a different
direction than God called him to go.
He was with Daniel in the face of jealous men who sought
to end his life because of his testimony.
He was with Peter and John who were physically beaten for
preaching the Gospel.
He was with Paul when he was being stoned, shipwrecked
and imprisoned. While at the same time being assured that all things work
together for good to those who love God and act according to God’s plan.
“Where was God?”
“Where was God?”
He was there on that Friday when His own son's innocent
life was being taken from Him. He was very present Very enduring the pain for
the benefit of others. God was there bearing the weight of the sins of the
world pressing down on His shoulders.
“Where was God?”
Can’t God prevent bad things from happening? Is He
helpless? Does He know what’s going on? Does God even care?
“Where was God?”
Of course He knew! Of course He could have prevented it! Of course He could have stopped it! Of course He was not and is not helpless! Of course He was and was aware! And, of course He cares! God knows what is going on. We are the ones who shut Him out and do not acknowledge Him in ALL He does.
“Where was God?”
He was using the actions of some with evil hearts to bring about the redemption of mankind. He reminds us that … “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Of course He knew! Of course He could have prevented it! Of course He could have stopped it! Of course He was not and is not helpless! Of course He was and was aware! And, of course He cares! God knows what is going on. We are the ones who shut Him out and do not acknowledge Him in ALL He does.
“Where was God?”
He was using the actions of some with evil hearts to bring about the redemption of mankind. He reminds us that … “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
“Where was God?”
God is saddened by our disbelief and out lack of faith. God does cause bad things to happen, But He does comfort those affected by it. God may allow other things to happen, but He will provide peace to those whose hearts turn to Him.
Let us pray that every believer responds to this wake up call. While sad, terrible and tragic things will continue to happen, God will mightily use each thing for His purposes of good, and that we will return to Him, and that multitudes will come to Jesus like a little child in faith. Let us pray against the way Satan wants to use this.
God is saddened by our disbelief and out lack of faith. God does cause bad things to happen, But He does comfort those affected by it. God may allow other things to happen, but He will provide peace to those whose hearts turn to Him.
Let us pray that every believer responds to this wake up call. While sad, terrible and tragic things will continue to happen, God will mightily use each thing for His purposes of good, and that we will return to Him, and that multitudes will come to Jesus like a little child in faith. Let us pray against the way Satan wants to use this.
“Where is God?”
He is right here. Be still and know that HE IS GOD. He is
our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to
help us in times of trouble. I'm thankful that this world is not my
home, I'm just a traveler. In these last days, in these times of trouble
remember every event and know that even though we feel helpless and powerless,
God is there. Our comfort is to know and trust His Word.
