Tornadoes and the Purposes of God?

7. February 2008 by BruceSmith.

In the last couple of days, the world has witnessed more incredible images of disaster and devastation.  Even as one who lived through the nightmare of Hurricane Katrina, I am still amazed each time I see such images roll across the television screens.  As has been pointed out by news-makers and talking heads over the last couple of days, those folks at Union College (many of whom are in Biblical Studies programs) must be asking, “What is going on here?”

As one who would rather avoid as much disaster and difficulty as possible, and as one who also lives in a real world, witnessing real problems daily, I offer the thoughts below.  In times like these, we do well to consider the perspective of Biblical history, and the Providence of God.  I hope you find hope and help for all of your challenges as you read.

The Providence of God

There are many grand themes throughout scripture.  One of the most grand, as it pertains to the purposes of God for His people and for His world, is that of the providence of God.  That God is intimately working in the affairs of His people is one of the most substantive realities we can look to in times of great tribulation.  Without the deep-rooted knowledge that God cares for us, we are too easily tossed about by the sea of life.  With this assurance of God’s perfect plan for us even the darkest of days can be endured with faith and hope.

Through the pages of scripture we are told of God’s favor for His people.  The promises of God are many.  The blessings of God are innumerable.  His goodness is abounding and His love forevermore.  We long to hear of such things and we love to be reminded of all God offers to those who are found in Him.  But we must ask ourselves how firm we stand when we are called to trust His heart toward us when His hand seems distant.  When we find ourselves in the desert of life do we listen to the temptations of Satan or do we, like the Christ we serve, with patience and endurance, fight the good fight rejecting the devils offer for a cheap way out?  Are we constant in our devotion amidst persecution, mistreatment, rejection, malice, and threats of all sorts?  When we are misunderstood, or worse, misrepresented, do we have quiet faithful resolve for the purposes of God?

 These are all important questions and ones which really get at the heart of our true intentions.  It has often been suggested that one can only see the real person when hard times come.  Hard times, we are told, separate the “men from the boys”, the “wheat from the chaff”, and the good from the bad.  The bible tells us that life’s difficulties are what God uses to “refine” us just as precious metals are refined by the testing of fire.

Hebrews chapter 11 tells us of the “faithful” servants of God who trusted, fought, and endured for the purposes of God having never received the “promise” on this side of heaven.  The life of one of history’s greatest writers, John Milton (who wrote in the 17^th Century), demonstrates to us that “they also serve who only stand and wait”.  The life of Joseph reminds us that even the evil intent of those around us cannot thwart the purposes of God for a life devoted to Him.  Joseph’s brothers devised a plan to put him to death.  In God’s providence the plan was altered and they sold him into slavery.  By “chance” those who originally purchased him sold him into the hands and household of the master of Egypt.  Through God’s orchestration Joseph found favor in the household and was elevated to a place of high esteem.  Once there the master’s wife attempted to seduce him and upon his refusal to give in and thereby offend His God, she lied and had him defamed and thrown into prison.  But God was not done.  Through it all God brought him back to a place of prominence and one telling verse screams of the divine ability of God to turn the worst of life’s messes into God’s grace filled plan; the verse reads, “…and all the earth came to Joseph”.

Where has your life gone “right” and where has your life gone “wrong”?  Whether you have seen victory after victory or defeat upon defeat, hold steady in the arms of God and trust that He is up to something.  If you place yourself in His hands, and like Job wrestle through the tough questions long enough to see that no one knows better than God, then you will know the providence of God. 

Remember, throughout biblical history, it seems that those who walked with God in the most intimate of ways endured much hardship.  Do you want to know the providential hand of God?  His favor is assured and His blessings are many and we ought to praise Him for each one.  He longs to give good gifts to His sons and daughters.  Let us also be mindful, however, that sometimes the “best” of His plans are drawn up on the blueprint of suffering.  Jeremiah was the “weeping prophet”; Hosea was called to marry a prostitute; Isaiah was undone and lived among an unclean rebellious people; Paul was imprisoned and beaten and shipwrecked and left for dead numerous times; Daniel was thrown into a den of lions; John the baptizer wore a really irritating hair-shirt and ate some obnoxiously noisy bugs; and Jesus, who cried out to the Father, “Why have you forsaken me?” was the suffering servant.

His favor is with us and His plans are for our good and the good of His world.  His providence is assured and He is to be rejoiced in.  Romans 8 is our promise, “…who shall separate us from the love of God?  Shall trouble, hardship, famine, nakedness, peril or sword?…no, no, no, no, no, a thousand times “NO!”…in (that little word in the original language is important as it literally means “through, as a result of”) all these things we are more (abundantly more the language suggests) than conquerors.”  And the big ending, “through Him who loved us”.  And lest we forget, nestled in that amazing passage is the reminder that Jesus Christ, “who died and more than that was raised to life” IS INTERCEDING FOR US.  That blows me away.  Jesus, is interceding for me before my God in the heavens.  Oh, that we would remember that more!  How ridiculous is the love of God!

Bruce Smith

Optimuslife.org

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »