In
a crisis, a secularized culture looks to the resources it has.
Political leadership is obviously vital to our well-being, as is
effective legislation.
Few,
however, are asking about God’s role in the massacres and their
aftermath. Scripture proclaims that “God is the King of all the earth”
(Psalm 47:7) and that he “reigns over the nations” (v. 8).
So let’s ask: Where was God in El Paso and Dayton? What is he doing in the aftermath of these horrible tragedies?
Where were God’s angels?
God
gives us free will so we can choose to love him and each other (Matthew
22:37–39). When humans misuse our freedom, the fault is not the Lord’s
but ours: “God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no
one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own
desire” (James 1:13–14).
If
God always prevented the consequences of sin, we would not be free. If
he had intervened in El Paso or Dayton, or if he protects you and me
from the results of our next sins, human freedom would not be real.
Here’s
the dilemma: there are times when it seems this is just what he does.
For example, King Herod misused his freedom when he imprisoned Peter and
plotted his execution. But God sent his angel to free the apostle from
his Roman jail (Acts 12:1–11).
It’s
natural to ask: Where were his angels in El Paso and Dayton? Why pray
for God to protect our children and grandchildren if he allows mass
murderers to kill other children and grandchildren?
After
Job lost his children, his possessions, and his health, he asked, “Why
did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire?” (Job 3:11).
The psalmist asked God, “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?” (Psalm 42:9). Even Jesus cried
from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew
27:46, quoting Psalm 22:1).
Eleven-year-old boy makes a remarkable difference
Here’s what I do know: “The Lord
is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm
34:18). There is no burden we cannot share with him: “Give all your
worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT).
I also know that evil can be used for good. Consider some of the remarkable stories coming out of last weekend’s tragedies.
I
know another fact about God: he wants us to work with him. There is a
divine-human partnership across Scripture and human history. Noah builds
the ark, and God sends the Flood; Moses raises his arms, and God parts
the Red Sea; Joshua and the people step into the torrential Jordan
River, and God stops the flood.
How can we join God at work in these tragic days?
One: We can be proactive in responding to the crises we see in the people we know.
Pray
for the discernment to know when you need to intervene and for the
courage and compassion to respond. As the hands and feet of Jesus, we
continue his earthly ministry through ours (1 Corinthians 12:27).
Two: We can use our gifts and influence to turn others to Christ.
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