Thursday, May 5, 2011

Where Is God In the Storm?



(Smithville, MS, after April 27, 2011, tornado damage)



I've been hearing different people pose the question, "Where is God in the storm?" lately. Many are meaning where was God when the tornadoes ripped through several towns and cities in MS and AL last week. Some are meaning where was God when their lives were devastated because of a diagnois of cancer, a loved one died, a womb became barren, a marriage was defiled and broken, a job was lost, or many other situations too numerous to name. It's a valid question. One that saved and lost alike have asked.



Yesterday as I listened to American Family Radio, Bro. Bert Harper, Pastor of West Jackson Street Baptist Church in Tupelo, MS, spoke directly to this question of "Where is God in the storm?". He basically gave two answers. One, that God is where He's always been...He's still on the throne! He still decides what happens and we can't know the mind of God. (Matthew 5:45b) "for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."



And two, that just as God was IN THE FIRE with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, He's in the midst of our storms WITH us if we are Christians. (Daniel 3: 24-25)"Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. "
I thought Bro. Harper had a lot of good thoughts along this line.



Some may still argue that it's not fair for bad things to happen to good people! We get to thinking sometimes that we deserve good things from God don't we! Rev. R.C. Sproul was in a meeting one time where a woman asked him this question..."Why do bad things happen to good people?"....to which Rev. Sproul replied, "If I ever find some 'good people' I'll let you know. I only know One Good Person that bad things happened to and He volunteered!" (Rom.3:12) "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."



There will always be seasons of storms throughout our lives. But as Christians we can be comforted by remembering that God is still God and that He will go WITH us through any storms that come our way. Amen!







(Victory Baptist Church in Smithville,MS, worships in the ruble left by the F5 tornado)

8 comments:

Karin said...

So agree with this post! Seems to me that the sense of entitlement is alive and well. Amazing grace that we receive any good from our God! May God have mercy on all those who have suffered such awful loss!

Anonymous said...

This is so true and timely, Marilyn. We know that God was and is with the people whose lives were devastated by the storm. People kept saying to me "God blessed us last night" etc. But He didn't love me any more or less than the ones who were affected. HE is the only safe place we have to rely on. Thank you for keeping me thinking.

Love you.
Martha

P. S. Happy Mother's Day

Debra said...

This is such a great post! God is full of mercy and grace and is there for all who seek it!

It is so hard when these life changing events occur. Everyone affected is usually in shock for awhile. My heart goes out to them.

May they find that peace and comfort that can only be found in Him

Leah Adams said...

Happy Mother's Day, Marilyn. I often think of Job in this type of situation...shall we accept good from God and not bad???

Deborah said...

Having never gone through anything as devastating as this, I can only imagine what these people are feeling. The photo at the bottom, showing the congregation worshipping in the rubble is such a testimony. I only hope that I would respond like this.
Knowing that God is there in the good times, and holding to that when disaster strikes....that is the test of true faith!

Yolanda said...

Marilyn,

this was so good and I loved the Mathew scripture. A great reminder that because we are God's children, doesn't mean that life is easy or pain free.

LOVE YOU!!!

Liesa said...

GREAT POST, MARILYN! I'm glad God is in the storm, or it would be much worse than it was. His ways are not our ways, we just have to know that all things do work together for the good, if we love him. The tornado made me realize more than ever that life is fragile. If we're going to do anything for the Lord and others, we need to be busy.
Thanks for this post. Love ya, Liesa

Anonymous said...

God in the midst of our storms... where else would he be? He's been with me and has never left my side. Thanks be to God for the gift of his willing presence!

peace~elaine