I have always been amazed by the sheer force of storms. The destruction that is left from the path of a tornado or the devastation from the force of a Hurricane. Storms have a way of destroying and devastating everything in their paths. Storms of life are no different.
Have you ever been abused or raped? Have you ever lost a loved one? A child? A parent? A sibling? A Spouse? Oh, the destructive pain of storms: the way they peel away the layers of protection around our souls; leaving our hearts vulnerable, broken and bleeding.
What hope do we cling to when we go through a storm? What do you say to someone going through one. We usually have no clue what God is doing in our lives through the storm. In fact, most storms I have been through have produced more questions than answers. So what are we to say when “bad things happen to good people.”
Honestly, I don’t know, sure I understand theological answers to the question of evil: 1) God has in view a larger picture than my world; 2) God will use physical suffering to bring about spiritual healing; 3) What seems bad may actually be for my benefit (a Tetanus shot seems bad but is beneficial); 4) We live in a sin infected world; etc. But honestly, I can’t say specifically WHY God allowed a certain trial, but two truths I know. And they both come from the storms Jesus went through.
The first we see in Matt 8 where a storm had brewed upon the Sea of Galilee. The disciples and Jesus were in a boat and Jesus was asleep. The storm was so intense that these seasoned fishermen were scared for their lives. They woke Jesus who proceeded to speak the words: “PEACE BE STILL” and the storm stopped. Miraculously, JESUS stopped the STORM. Truth 1 – Jesus can stop it.
And yet, in Matt 14 the disciples were out at sea again, this time without Jesus and a storm was brewing (vs. 24). And they saw what they thought to be a Ghost, but it was Jesus walking on water. Peter, spoke these words “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you.” And so it was and Peter began walking on the water to Jesus. Then he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the storm and began to sink. What happens next is most interesting. Notice what Jesus didn’t do. Jesus didn’t stop the storm, instead he reached out and pulled Peter up and walked with him through the storm. Truth 2 – Jesus will walk with us through the storm.
The obvious question arises: Why does God stop storms some days but not others? Why do some Christians live in luxury and others in poverty? Why are some healed and others are not? Why? I don’t know, other than to say – He is a good GOD!!! By Faith we Trust that!!!
Like everyone I have faced Storms and my Jesus has never let me down. NEVER. He can be trusted. Jesus cannot lie…He cannot do wrong…He cannot be evil. He is good and whether he miraculously stops our trial or walks with us through it – He will NEVER EVER LEAVE US. Hold on to Jesus – there will be times He is all you have and He will Always be all you need.
About Me
- brad reynolds
- I am the Vice-President for Academic Services at Truett-McConnell College. I received my BA from The Criswell College, my MDivBL from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and my PhD from the College of William and Mary. I am married to APRIL - A gift from God and have 3 sons (Kelton (age 4) Laith (age 2) and Gavin (age 2 months) Further I have two children in heaven - baby Jace (boy) and baby Haven - Five more gifts from above:)
14 comments:
Brad, what do you say when someone says, "I can't worship a God who sends tornadoes, floods and hurricanes?"
I would say to that individual that it was not like that in the beginning. Death came not from God but from man. Man brought death and destruction into God's perfect world when man sinned.
Tornadoes, floods and hurricanes are part of the natural consequences of sin. Thus the whole creation yearns for its redemption from the curse of sin.
Do you believe that God is in control of weather?
Of course I believe God is sovereign over all things.
Brad, what do you mean, "God is sovereign over all things"?
Do you believe God sends the rain and wind? He has control over it, it does his bidding?
What would you say to a person who said,"Why did God send so much rain in our state when we already had way too much?"
Anonymous
First let me ask who you are? I'm not much on playing games. Further, I'm not much at all on someone saying something without the fortitude to place their name behind their words.
I have never written anonymously on anything and never will. I am not trying to be mean but honest - I think you would feel better about your words if you can own them.
Second, let's say a farmer prays for rain for provision for His family and the contractor prays it doesn't rain, so he can provide for his family. What is God to do?
One thing we must keep in mind is that although God is sovereign over all things: it is a Big World which is under the curse of sin.
I think the post itself says there are times we don't know why God allows things to happen. He is God and we are not. Christian philosophers may enjoy explaining "why" God allows things or does things but it is a dangerous game to play as Job found out. Sometimes we just have to say "I don't know - I am not God but He is good and I trust Him." For without faith it is impossible to please God
Hope that helps
You allow Anonymous post, so I am John Doe, it really doesn't matter does it? You don't know me...
We may not know why, that is a given. But for Christians to say that God is not in control of the rain and wind...is odd.
- Psalm 135:5-7 5 For I know that the Lord is great And that our Lord is above all gods 6 Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. 7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings for the rain, Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.
- Ps 135:7 Who makes lightnings for the rain, who brings forth the wind from His treasuries
- Psalm 147:8 8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains. 15-18 15 He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly.16 He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes.17 He casts forth His ice as fragments; Who can stand before His cold? 18 He sends forth His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.
Anonymous
You are right: I ALLOW you to post. I have found that someone who isn't really willing to place their name behind their thoughts don't own their thoughts. Which begs the question as to why we would continue this discussion.
Just to be clear, I never said God was not in control of the wind and rain. In fact, I said He was Sovereign over all.
The truth is what matters here. So I say my name is Joe from Jordon, Ohio and pastor a sbc church???
So, you do believe God sends the wind and rain... good. But I am amazed at pastors that do not. A tornado or flood happens and they are asked, "Why did God send us this flood?" Pastor's response,"God didn't, if you want to see God in action, watch how his people respond."
Truth is essential in all we are so:
Joe
I firmly believe that God even directs the lightning which strikes, even if it hits a person and kills them. However, all of that is a result of man's original sin. There was no death until man brought it into the world.
The question of "why" God brought or allowed storms of the soul or actual storms is a question no man may know the answer to.
Dr. Reynolds, I like this part of Peter's response, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you.”
Peter wasn't sure it was Jesus. Yet he was sure he would go to Him. And Peter wanted to know, to be assured it was Jesus in the midst of the storm. In our storms, we often question, why me rather than "bid me come to You".
I see each and every thing that occurs to me as an opportunity for God to sanctify and purify and make me into an instrument to be used by Him--for His glory. Sometimes I don't like what happens in life. Sometimes it feels like I am forsaken. But I am not. Scripture bears out that God means everything for good--His good. Yet it remains a mystery as to how He is bringing it all about. And we will not know that until we are given that knowledge in heaven. Until then, we are to "trust in the Lord with all our hearts, lean not to our own understanding, but in all OUR ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths." selahV
Selah
Great insight my sister. I love it. He is soooooooo good
The original anonymous question was what do you say to someone who says that they cannot worship a God who sends storms, etc.
I would say whom then would you worship? Do you worship a god of your own making? That is a false god. If you understand that the God who created all things and who holds all things together by the power of His Word in whom we live and move and have our being, the God before whose eyes we live, is the one true God, the only wise God the God of all heaven and earth, then we must worship Him regardless of whether we understand His acts of power or not.
He may not be the God that we would choose, but He is the God who chose us. ONe day, we will have to answer to Him, He will not have to answer to us. Let God be true and every man a liar. IF we do not worship Him, it is because we do not believe that He is who He says HE is. He is good. HE loves us.
Pastor Philip
Wonderful words. Sounds similar to CS Lewis. If not the true God than give another option.
And I would add - if we had full knowledge we would ALWAYS choose Him. He is always good:):):)
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