Where is God?
With
everything that has been going on in the world this year, from the wildfires
out west, to the rapid succession of tropical storms and hurricanes in the
gulf, or the COVID virus that has been challenging our lives and replaced
normalcy with chaos for many, the question is inevitably asked, “Where is God
in all this?” In the political realm,
when evil seems to gain the upper hand in the matters of a nation, some ask,
“Where is God in this? Why would he
allow such things to happen?” The nature
of the questions implies God must not exist, or he must be weak and
ineffective, or even worse, perhaps he is evil himself to allow evil to exist.
Of
course, God is not evil, nor does he engage in any form of evil. He is a holy God (1 Pet. 1:16), and only
responds from pure motives (Jas. 1:13).
Nor does God distance himself from his creation, in that he is unaware
of what is happening or unavailable to care for it. Paul reminded the Colossians that all things
were made through God in Christ, and that in him all things consist, or hold
together (Col. 1:16-17). The answer to
the question, “Where is God” then, is where he has always been, in charge of all
his creation.
The
question is still raised, though, if he is in charge, then why do all these things
happen? God has created humanity with free will, the ability to choose how one
lives. He created us able to make
decisions for ourselves, whether to serve him or live for self, to live in
sin. Sin comes with consequences,
altering how creation functions, bringing its own curse on creation in general
and each of us specifically (Gen. 3:17-18).
Paul wrote, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not
willingly, but because of him who subjected it,” (Rom. 8:20), and adds,
“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of
childbirth until now” (8:22). Sin is
the reason our world is filled with evil and all its consequences.
So, where is God in all this? He is fulfilling his eternal purpose, as he
has always done. Paul reminds us, “What
if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of
God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is
written, ‘That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are
judged’” (Rom. 3:3-4). The psalmist
reminds us, “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne” (Psa.
47:8). The theme of Revelation is that
God’s purpose will be triumphant, no matter what humanity does. There is a day when all sin, all evil, will be
dealt with in his righteousness (2 Cor. 5:10).
Until then, “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and
there is no other. I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things
not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall
stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose’” (Isa. 46:9-10).
God
reminds us, “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways
my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For
as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and
my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isa. 55:8-9). The question is not if God is still in
charge, but whether or not we are willing to trust the sovereignty of God. “Trust
in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In
all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not
wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil” (Prov.
3:5-7).
“Rejoice
in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Robert
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