The breakup of the Brumadinho dam and the massacre in the Suzano school, in Brazil. The cyclone in Mozambique. The fall of Boeing in Ethiopia and the mass shootings in the USA. It seems that I am citing some tragedies that have occurred in the last decade. But unfortunately they are some of what happened in 2019. And we are not even in the fourth month of the year!
I feel completely desperate when I find myself thinking about each of these situations. And I am also completely distressed when I repeatedly hear from Christians and non-Christians the same phrase. “Where is God in the midst of so many tragedies?”
I confess that when the Lord put in my heart that this should be the theme of this week’s post I felt distressed. It’s a very delicate subject and I asked God to tell me about anything else, so I’m afraid. However, I was extremely annoyed by the Holy Spirit to talk about it.
How does God think?
In our simplicity of reasoning and endless distance between the way we think and how God thinks, we try to question Him about why so many bad things happen in the world. We become pessimistic and annoyed at seeing so much suffering repeatedly. We ask ourselves and others about the fact that God is so good and does not interfere in these cases and we end up in doubt about whether He is really good or not.
One of the biggest problems is that we always try to put God inside a moral box created by ourselves. Mere mortals and devoid of knowledge. We try to judge God’s actions according to our law and our ways. And we still try to have our reason overriding the reason of Him.
When God speaks through the prophet Isaiah that His thoughts are higher than ours, He does not intend to just say that we can not see the wonders He has kept for us. But how we do not have the capacity to understand his judgments and his wisdom, much less judge his actions.
Is 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
(9) “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”.
Rm 11:34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
Is it really God’s fault?
Once we understand that the wisdom and justice of God are far greater than we can imagine and understand, we must also speak about our part in all this. It is much easier and more convenient to put the blame on someone else or to make some excuse when we do something wrong. To exempt oneself from guilt in order not to suffer the consequences is something established within the perverse heart of the human being. You may wonder, but what does this have to do with these disasters? I answer: absolutely everything.
Gn 1:26 “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground”.
God loved us so much that He made us mankind ion His image. We are like God, that is, completely free. This means that we have the option of treading our ways in doing what He tells us to do or go in the opposite direction. Many, however, rejected the Creator to live their own ways. And this has a direct impact on many of these tragedies. To blame God for human negligence on the safety of a dam or even on aircraft is much easier than blaming ourselves for having been negligent in these details. Maybe we did not overlook something that had such an impact. But do we often do so in lesser situations?
To blame God for a young man shooting in a school is also much easier than to accept that we do not always strive to take the love of God or even to pray for so many young people and adults who do not know Heavenly Father’s love.
May the grace and the mercy from the Lord be with you all, in Jesus name! Amen.
May God have mercy upon us!!!
Thank you very much Brother Marcelo.
This is indeed a wake up call for me and many I guess. May the holyspirit endue you with more knowledge and understanding, as you continue to search the scripture for more messages of upliftment and wisdom to inspire His children.
I had to halt myself and reflex in my Christian life. Am I really listening to the voicec of God, following His directions or allowing His will for my life to happen? It is said in His word, that “His plans for us is of good and not of evil”. But the enemy never want us to see it that way, hence creating confussion and troubles in the entire world…
This message is indeed a new Dawn for me and my household!
Psalm 121:1-2 say , “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh mine help ? My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth.
Amen…God bless 😇
It couldn’t have been said any better.. so much truth here..
God bless 👐
Praise to God our creator , He’s grace & mercy suround us all the days of our lives , God bless Amen .
Amazing Message. God bless you!!
Thank you, the timing of this popping up on my phone, could not have been more perfect, as I just lost a close friend. I couldn’t help but ask myself why, how, and feel nothing but sadness about the world. Thank you, this is exactly what I needed.
Glory only to the God Almighty for this, Yosh. I don’t deserve thanks for nothing! And I’m so sorry for your friend, really!
One can surmise anything about attacks and tragedies (both of which are two “very different” things I might add), but what mortal could possibly know about the Lord’s reasoning for why things happen.
You speak of why someone would shoot people, or why someone could cause neglect for dam maintenance, as if it’s a specific reasoning by the Lord (& perhaps it is). Perhaps it’s “because” we’re mortal.
Adam and Eve were instructed not to eat the forbidden fruit, but they did it anyway. Perhaps such attacks and tragedies are necessary to advance as mortals. My point is that, we “are” mortal & and we “do” make mistakes and poor choices, & not everyone has the same reasoning. I don’t know that it’s so much as why did God “let” these things happen, as it might be as to “why” these things happen.
These issues are much different than say stepping out of the way of death, just in the nick of time, so to speak. I can immediately recall at “least” three times in my life were, for all intensive purposes I should have died, but miraculously absolutely nothing happened. Twice while being a passenger in automobiles at high speeds (once on the highway and once on a local roadway, & narrowly escaped potentially fatal accidents); and one particular time on a Job site where I was carrying a nail gun up a ladder to some staging, I became intangled in my surroundings, and the plunger for the firing pin became wedged against my head (the gun didn’t fire, because my finger wasn’t on the trigger). In my opinion these experiences, are truly an example of why God allowed or didn’t allow something to happen.
For someone to open fire on a crowd is much more than something accidental. It’s an “action” that is either premeditated or improvised. As far as neglect regarding dam maintenance, there could be a number of different reasons as to why. At the end of the day, these are examples of human error, and malicious intent. We are but mere mortals.
The man made tragedies definitely show us that we are fallible and in need of our perfect God to help us, just like the Law shows us our fallible nature.
Romans 7:9-13
9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.
10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.
11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.
12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
We cannot do it on our own. It is important to know this so we might forgive others as we are reminded of our own fallible moments.
The natural disasters also pose on us an awareness of our need for our perfect God, a TRUST that regardless of the pain and suffering He is there with us and in control even unto our deaths.
Daniel 3:16-18
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter.
17 If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us.
18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.”
It is agreed that His thoughts and ways far exceed that of our own and that only placing what we see as ‘good’ as being His is a mistake commonly made within scripture:
1 Kings 20:28
28 A man of God approached and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the Lord: Because the Arameans have said, ‘The Lord is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,’ therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
Job 42:7
7 After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.
Isaiah 45:7
7 I form light and create darkness,
I make weal and create woe;
I the Lord do all these things.
1 Samuel 16:14
14 Now the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
Even Satan has to obey God when God declares it…His Word never falls void. He does things for His good pleasure and all His words will come to fruition. Those who hold onto the hope in Christ to the end will be rewarded. We must suffer with Christ in order to reign with Him.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2 Timothy 2:12
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
Matthew 16:24
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Whatever you are going through know that God is in control and with you in it:
Romans 8:18-21
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
May you be free and glorious in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Since the beginning man has been receiving curses and blessings from Our living God. So when man turns away from God by man’s own endowment bad things befall man, suffering shared to everyone. This should promote us to not forsake our brothers and sisters stay like or revert back to be innocent like a child. Logs in our eyes, we need try to save and at the least dust our feet off. Believe believe and have faith in it. Thank you God
Excellent subject and post, and great responses. Thank you.
A good book to read also, is ” Where was God?”, Read it years ago, do not remember the author.
First of all, Satan has some power on the earth, what God allows of him. And we do live in a fallen world. Second do not forget Romans 8:28 when coming across these disasters. It can bring about so much positive and uplifting opportunities for people to open their hearts, come to believe and understand Jesus, and so much more. Scripture talks about perilous times occurring in the end times. In times like this, we need to as God for wisdom and discernment. God bless
Amen
That’s so true.
Some times we just need to be reminded that we are dealing with two forces.the good and the bad. And it’s up to us to choose with one we will follow.
I know God doesn’t make mistakes and will never put his children in harm’s way. He loves us all too much
Thanks
Thank you, for this message! I shared this with my son. I’ve heard him say so many times why does God allow these bad things to happen. I’ve told him about free will and how great God is to steer us in the right direction, if only we would take the time and listen. You explained it so much better than me and he said he understood it and answered some questions he had! I pray that we all take God’s directions in life and pray more about good things more often for our brothers and sisters in Christ before bad things even have a chance to happen. Thank you and God bless you!
Thanks evil one is here controlling confusion, deceit & destruction. God said life is short & full of trouble. He also said He will be with us & not forsake us. Call on Him & our rewards are not here, but in Heaven. If hHe sees the sparrow fall, how much more does He love us!!Hold fast, stand still & KNOW that HE IS GOD, HE is in CONTROL. WE WIN!!!! ETERNITY with Him, rewards in Heaven.
As in the time He was on earth, our expectations must change. People then expected Him to come in power as a warrior & fight the Kings to change society, not to come meekly, lie in a manger, teach His Father’s message, then die on the cross as a sacrifice for OUR SINS. I’m SO GLAD HE DID!!. I’m an heir now, bought with a price, adopted into the kingdom of God, to live with Him for eternity. AMEN!!! First word should read THE evil one…
pastor I believe you missed a very important thing you forgot to talk about sin since the fall of Adam and Eve that were disobedient to our God’s will when He had told them not to eat from the tree of good and evil and all that is happening in this ungodly evil sinful fallen world we live in today with all of these tragedies is the result of sin and the greed of mans love of selves lovers of money and things of this world instead of loving our God and expecting our almighty Jesus Christ into there hearts and souls most people have yes rejected our God our creator and read in the book of our God’s Holy Bible Revolution on how everything is happening right now because we are right in the middle of the end times and more people will die and lose there lives and souls to our enemy satan to be cast into hell and there souls will be lost forever if they don’t repent there sins to our God and turn from there evil ways and again I say expect our Jesus Christ into there hearts and souls this is what’s going on right now since again Adam and Eve are the father and mother who started sinning and we have to pay the price for there sins and once our JESUS CHRIST came down to there earth and He paid the Altamont price for all sinners we were all saved once we have expected our Jesus Christ into our hearts and souls and when our Jesus Christ comes back again to claim His children and this world we know will end and there will be a new heaven and a new earth all of this sinfulness world we know will be over forever Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah my family and I can’t wait for our Jesus Christ to come back again and this isn’t our God’s fault its mans fault for being disobedient to our God and not listening to Him and listening to the devils lies ok God bless all who read this Amen
That was a devine message .
Very deep!
God bless you Marcelo!
God have never been silent he is always speaking, the thing is we don’t always listen. The God that I serve is a good and just God and sometines it takes tragedies likes thise mentioned for us to come to realise that he is trying to get our attention. We are so caught up in self-everything that we forget that he is the one in charge, that he should always be first in the good time and in the bad time. Love, forgive, worship him, priase him, pray for our enemies, thats what he wants us to do. He already knows what our needs are we dont need to remind him.
Good Morning Marcelo!
I personally believe that God is always there with me despite of the situations going around. I learned that these are called “storms”. This is where I let God lead me through the storm without lacking faith and belief. It is not God’s fault that the situations are happening in this world because these were cause by the enemy. The enemy’s purpose is to kill, steal, and destroy. I believe going through a storm can make us stronger and have deeper faith in God because when we feel helpless and can’t take it anymore, we turn to God because He is the only one who can help us. The Bible states that God will never leave nor forsake us. He sees everything and understands. He is here even if we don’t see Him. The one who believes even when the person could not see Him, is blessed because you don’t have to see to believe. If you believe in Him, that is enough. Even if you don’t see what God has for you in the future, when you still believe, it’s showing God that you trust in Him.
Have a good day! God bless you!
Justine
I only leave this, that long suffering and affliction is the surest pathway to finding his Grace and seeing his Glory around you. And pay mind to what is before your eyes, while searching answers thru your heart where there Holy Spirit gives concession to the Lord what we ourselves can hardly discern it’s needs. Tragedy can give glimpses of the fuller picture and remind us why humbleness and meek ways our what keep us on the straight path. Others will rarely recognize a straight path unless they themselves have not chosen to turn right nor left and only let the Lord guide our goings about in conversation with him and aligning your heart’s desires and needs as closely as possible will be something I found use in being mindful of. Tho I never knew another way for some reason I perceived. But prayers and accepting others infirmities to be shared with ourselves when we are able to and that itself will keep us in remembrance of our true heart that still exists within us. Look for his Glory in tragedy and you may find peace if it is his will for you to. He has all the paths destinations set in stone and to be shown the reason he made us each so different yet if the same is a safer understanding to place in your heart as much troubles will be kept from your sight while you make him priority over your own needs even. As he provides for us sufficiently and fullness of Faith, absolution of understandings and can be forged in his Truth. I can speak on my experience in losing these things I advise search out because I search to find him as I knew him prior to the night others endure. I am not even able to search if it was purpose for me to be of help to it I pray for only to bring him back in my heart to drown out all those who merchandise others. Not realizing how such things are able and by whom’s heart has the Lord willed it possible by. Trust in him is my fail safe, I owe him for making me the person I am capable of becoming and allowing me to see what I needed so I may be one he may yeild for good and that is the most I can be without allowing my own vanity deceive me. God bless my loved ones in Zimbabwe and across the Earth in these times of learning to discern signs from necessities and such. May Christ be with us all in our hearts while learning the path isn’t ours until it is his.
Amen and Amen. God bless you for drawing our attention to obey our creator and seek him diligently
love your approach! It is so true that we tend to take the easier way by blaming others by looking at God’s intention for us from the begining of the creation, including us. Yet, God never gives up on us but he stint his only son Jesus to save us from the final penalty. praise the Lord In the name of Jesus.
Wow,I needed this right. I was discussing a similar issue with a friend “if God truly exist” this is because I sometimes feel I have been neglected by our God due to repeated things that are happening to me. I am weak, poor and disappointed about my entire life. I admit I am not perfect and pure but I sometimes feel, God doesn’t love like he loves others although he saved my life through a motor accident but there are certain things I would love Him to do for me and I am loosing it all. Thank you and I pray you keep giving us more wisdom and may God help me. Amen .
As you so correctly point out, our thoughts on these things are so shallow! By no means does Christianity hide from these realities: the very centre of Christianity is the unjust crucifixion of Christ – Christianity makes the injustices of the world its central theme!! And it says that God is there, participating in that suffering. And just as God brought a greater good from the crucifixion, so he can use all the injustices of the world to the fulfillment of his purposes. All we can know on this side of death is that we must mourn with God for the terrible things happening in the world, and offer our help and prayers. Only in the next world will we see God’s glorious plan, where all our tears will be wiped from our eyes. This is the hope and the faith of Christianity, that allows us to live in spite of all the death and meaninglessness that we experience…
I shed tears when i watched the video of the Boeing crashing to the ground. It is our duty to submit to the Father. His ways and thoughts are not like ours. It is only when mankind shall be humble enough to seek God diligently in truth and in spirit will we be able to do the Will of the Father. God in His infinite mercy and love has given ALL THINGS but we can only possess these things if we come to HIM. The world needs intercessors who will stand the gap and pray for nations around the globe. We must pray to God to give us the POWER to effect change in our different communities and in the world at large. May God make us His end time GENERALS. AMEN
God is still in control. If things go wrong it’s man’s fault. Not God’s
….this is deep indeed!
thanks for sharing as I pray God to lead us unto His path IJMN. Amen
Good morning, Marcel. You have spoken to my heart. I am choking with grief over the happenings in the world and in my private life. I am encouraged and.my perspective has improved.
I like the teachings. Its inspiring
It is so true that we fail to see our accountability in all these things that take place and we are to blame for being negligent towards the word of God we as mankind should start acting up and know that some of the tragedies taking place are of our doing as well we cannot question God and point finger towards him for our misfortune in the world God loves us so much and yet we seem to fail to see his grace is still upon the world.
very true. God is perfect love, that suffers, that cares, that blesses, that forgives. Abba gives Himself completly. its us that lacks the compassion and truth of His fullness. we lack love thats freely given. we lack intemicy with the source of grace, love and hope. we need to daily just bow anf humble before Him that is everything
Hie Marcelo
I really enjoyed your piece on these tragedies and where God is in all of these events. Well written, with precise verses as to where we stand as humans in terms of how we always rush and put blame on other people and not take responsibility of/for our own misdoings. Keep up the good work. Stay blessed. I would love to read more of your articles. I’ll drop my email below.
Inspirational to say the least. Thank you.
It’s also enlightening to note that we blame God even for things that are clearly our fault.
But what do we say to people that have suffered unimaginable pain in the cyclone Idai destruction in Mozambique and Zimbabwe? Or those who suffer at the hands of natural disasters, what message can we tell them? How can we rebuild their faith?
I have been going through really tough financial times. I pray on a daily asking God for help cause it’s gotten to that point where it’s truly Him only that I count on. I have no other way or anyone to help me. Topping it up I had a baby on Jan 1st and my family needs to eat and they all totally look up to me. Yet all my efforts don’t seem to really bare fruits. Its confusing and I feel helpless. I need God to help me. Yet I feel He’s been silent and only watching.
Hello
Amongst all tragedies. What are we talking about. For a human ,all it needs is to have fun in life, there is a very thin line between tragedy and fun for a human being, this goes for all.. People who snap, weren’t they a part of the social structure one, weren’t they good once. In this world people who have money have set bad examples hence the pain. Only the end of this world is a solution.
I thank you sir for this.
God bless u.
What is the meaning of life? Choise!
Thanks for the great message Marcelo.
It was so great. Honestly this message really touch me . Yeah sometimes as human beings we usually ask LORD why these kind of things happen or LORD where are you, but now you have point it out it was so great. And mostly we just have to praise God for revealing this to you 😍👏👏