Where was God yesterday?

It's a question few have asked audibly, but perhaps a lot have asked silently.

In light of yesterday's tragedy, we are all left in a place of numbness, sadness, unbelief, and doubt.  Why do such horrific things take place in this world?  It's a question that is obviously bigger than any of us.  There is no way, in our limited capacities, we could explain or even understand such an enormous question.  I have wished many times there were a logical explanation.  But as I spend time in God's presence this morning, I am reminded of a few things.

These senseless tragedies are not new to our world.  The evil acts of men have been taking place since the beginning of time.  King Herod ordered for all boys in Bethlehem under the age of 2 be killed in an attempt to find and kill Jesus.  (Matthew 2) There are countless horrific acts of violence throughout the bible that show us that the evil actions of men have been prevalent since the beginning of time. 

In no way does this minimize the lives of the children that were taken yesterday.  I am just reminded that God is not taken off guard or surprised by man's heinous capability of such evil acts.

This world continues to be a place that insists on turning away from God and His love for us.  Since the garden of Eden, we have insisted on doing it our way.  He loved us enough to give us  free will and choice--not as robots programmed to love only Him.  As a result, we see consequences daily of the sinful nature of man.  Surely He is deeply saddened at the choices we have made...especially when they are choices that manifest in things like yesterday's tragedy.  He created us knowing that not everyone would choose Him and knew from the beginning that we were not capable of living holy lives.  And that is why He willingly gave His most precious possesion-His son-to provide the necessary sacrifice to make it possible for anyone that CHOOSES to accept this precious gift to spend eternity in His holy and blameless presence.  That is love like no other.  Don't miss the deep meaning of those words and skim over them in familiarity.  It is THE ONE and ONLY hope we have in this dark world. 

There IS an adversary at work on this earth and at times appears to be winning.  He is the same one who wants to convince us that we know best and causes us to doubt God's sovereignty. But rest assured, his presence and influence are temporary.  God has promised to come back and take control and return His original creation to it's perfect state.  He will weed out the evil and perfection will once again reign forever.  Don't fall prey to the disguises and doubts of the evil one. 

How?

Our priority must be to spend time in His presence daily to allow His character and goodness to seep into our hearts and souls.  It is our only hope to survive in this unsure world.  It is the only way we can go to sleep each night with confidence, knowing that He who spoke this world into existence, is indeed in control and will have the last word.  In the mean time, we must trust and believe in His perfect love for us and in His goodness,  He will indeed weave meaning into the fabric of our lives, so that none of these heartbreaking tragedies will be in vain.

I pray for all of those affected, not only by the senseless tragedy yesterday, but in so many others that take place daily.  That they would feel His comfort and peace in their lives until they are with their loved ones again. 

  

I do not pretend to understand the immense pain and uncertainty that we all feel.  I only offer the HOPE that He has extended to me and to all of us.  

 

Where is God?  He is in our midst.

We are experiencing the miracle of His birth right now.  The greatest gift ever given.  Let us all make a special effort in the middle of the season's chaos,  to sit quietly in His presence and allow His love to shine upon us.  We, like the wise men, can find our way in the darkness by following the light that is before us.