Where is God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense?

After my Chiropractor appointment, I came home and monitored some of the news regarding the shooting in South Carolina. After lunch and some tree trimming, I did make it to our community pool for a swim and water workout. I believe I am seeing some signs of continued improvement, even if it is slow. It has been a couple of weeks since I have used my arm crutches exclusively. So retiring my walker, is a step forward.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them and you listen to their cry.” (Psalm 10:17)

It was just weeks after the Columbine tragedy and I was questioning my friend Bruce Porter about his plans to launch a ministry to individuals, groups and communities impacted by “Columbine-type” tragedies. He told me, “We haven’t seen the last of these types of events.”

At the time I felt like surely Columbine was just an anomaly and reoccurring events like this would be akin to lightning striking in the same place. That was in 1999, and now sixteen years later, I look naïve and Bruce looks like a prophet, sadly so.

Since Columbine we have seen violence in high schools, elementary schools, middle schools, college campuses, military bases, shopping centers, a movie theater and even churches. Today, the country is reeling from the thought of nine lives lost during a Bible study and prayer meeting at a church in South Carolina. The question on many minds is, “Is there no place of safety and refuge in this world?”

These events are becoming all too common, but the impact and devastation remains. These situations test our faith and provide fodder for the skeptic. But the questions that come to mind are not just the musing of a post-modern mind. Thousands of years ago, David lamented, “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1)

What we know about our life of faith is, that they way things appear, is not the way they are. CS Lewis said, “God whispers in our pleasure, but shouts in our pain.” What does the Lord say? I am reminded of the words of then Vice President Al Gore at the Columbine Memorial service, “There is little which human words can say which will ease the pain of your loss, but there is a voice which can speak to our trouble souls, “peace be still.”

 After David questions the Lord’s awareness and presence in times of trouble, he asserts the following truths…

1 – God Hears – When we think of someone who hears, it is a reminder of presence and awareness. When pain comes, expressing our hurt, questions and loss is important. Having someone who is just “there” makes the difference. Jesus came into a fallen world to identify with our condition. “He was a man of sorrow acquainted with grief.” And because of what He suffered He is able to “comfort us in all of our sorrow.”

2 – God Encourages – The word “encourage” means to “stand erect…to place courage in” A word of encouragement, a word of hope can make the difference. It allows those knocked down and bowed down by life, to stand erect once again. That was my friend Bruce Porter’s desire as he launched his new ministry in 1999. The Lord uses others who have suffered loss as well as those that He sovereignly sends into our lives. When Paul was in a storm tossed sea that was threatening the life of all on board the Lord sent an angel, who Paul said, “…stood beside me and said, don’t be afraid…”

3 – God Listens – When someone hears we know we have their attention, when they listen we know they understand, relate and are willing to take action. In this same Psalm, David says, “…you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.” (Psalm 10:18)

Through the life and sacrifice of Christ, death was defeated and a steadfast hope is offered to every person. That hope the Lord provides reassures us, He knows our sorrows and will provide strength and comfort and lead us to a new future one day at a time. Our assurance is that of Psalmist so many years ago, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)