When Tragedy Strikes

“God does not hide from the fact that people often question Him in times of crisis.”

Sometime ago I was visiting with some high school seniors and asked them what their classmates thought about God. "They’re sometimes confused", they said. I asked them to explain. "They see bad things happen in the world and wonder why. If God is God, then why didn’t He prevent it?" As I heard their responses, I thought about how many millions of others, whether young or old, think the same thing. (Photo by Rhodi Lopez on Unsplash)   

One of the many reasons the Bible is my favorite book, is because it is transparent. It is a divinely inspired book about God that includes stories of the very things the teenagers were addressing. God does not hide from the fact that people often question Him in times of crisis. 

When Jesus, God’s only Son, hung on the cross and was near death, He looked toward heaven and cried out in anguish, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)

When King David led the nation of Israel, and was facing enemies who threatened the future of his country he wrote, "Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" (Psalm 10:1)

When Moses was struggling to lead the Hebrew people, tragedy struck and the people rebelled. Moses lamented before God, "O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me?" (Exodus 5:22)

It is natural for us to question or even become angry at God when bad things happen. Let me share four practical ways we can respond to tragedy, based on how Jesus walked through His own dark valley.

1) Accept the reality of the curse of sin. When Jesus faced death He understood about the existence of the curse of sin in the hearts of all people, and in creation itself. He knew the lies He would face, the abandonment He would deal with and the horrific pain He would experience were all due to the presence of sin and evil in the world. Though He accepted this reality, He determined to walk through it, and by His divine power, would not allow tragedy to win.

As you go through your situation, accept this same reality, but also accept that Jesus is bigger, greater and more powerful than any tragedy.

2) Turn toward God, not away from Him. As Jesus hung on the cross and felt the weight of the world on His shoulders, He cried out, "Why God?" Notice, He turned His words of sorrow toward God, not away from Him, and remained faithful to Him to the end.

Tragedy has the potential to lead us away from God. We might put down the Bible or walk away from church. No matter how dark things get, refuse to turn away from God. Do not let your tragic circumstances have the final say. Instead, like Jesus, take your questions directly to God. Pour out your heart. Scream. Yell. Cry. Let it all out before Him.

3) Face tragedy with a spirit of forgiveness. Jesus faced the people responsible for His unjust circumstances with forgiveness.

 Unlike Jesus though, our tendency is to lash out, and want others to suffer like we have. And eventually, our anger, bitterness and unforgiveness become like chains around us making our suffering worse. Through Jesus, you can have those chains broken and fall to your feet.

4) Overcome by faith. The Scripture teaches that Jesus faced His death with joy. How could He do such a thing? Because He knew the future. He knew He would rise from the dead and overcome all the evil He was walking through. 

When devastating news comes, grab hold of Jesus. Let Him be your example and hope. He has overcome. And because He has, when you place your faith in Him, you will too.

A prayer for you - Lord God, we take our tragedy, whatever it is we are suffering with, and lay it at your feet. We turn from any unforgiveness toward others or anger toward you. Lord, save us from this dark valley we are walking through. Help us overcome. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

The Appetites of Mankind

“And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure” – King Solomon

“Bzzzt, bzzzt, bzzzt,” was the sound of my phone alarm, and it went off at 3:00 a.m., which meant it was time to get up and deliver the donuts. (Photo by Alexandre St-Louis on Unsplash)

This was my morning routine for a few days during the week. My delivery route was entirely convenience stores. Place after place I saw people drive in hungry; their trucks and cars for fuel and their bodies for donuts, coffee or some tasty breakfast pizza.

All of us were born with a natural hunger. We see it in tiny babies, when they cry and want fed. It is instinctive. But we also have an innate appetite that extends beyond food. We hunger for purpose, good health, financial independence, success, knowledge, pleasure, happiness, love and much more.

The great and wise King Solomon once wrote about his own appetites, “And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil…” (Ecclesiastes 2:10)

When all of us were created by God He put something within us which no other part of His creation has. It is written, “…then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” (Genesis 2:7) What was in this “breath of life”? A soul, which is the part of us we cannot see. It is what makes us a living, spiritual and an emotional being, which is where our basic human appetites are found.

And these appetites are corrupted by the curse of sin, which is clear and evident in the life of every person. How so? Selfishness. The instinctive desire of every man and woman is to pursue self-centered ambitions. They are blinded to its emptiness, foolishness and its pathway toward self-destruction.

One young woman’s longing for love leads her to move in with her boyfriend where she becomes pregnant, and is pressured into getting an abortion. A man’s hunger for success leads him to throw himself into building his career, causing his wife and children to leave him. A poor couple’s desire to get out of poverty leads them to gambling, where they loose nearly half their life savings.

Solomon adds to his earlier words, “Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” (Eccl. 2:11) What is the future like for the soul that lives to simply please themselves? Solomon summed it up stating, “…God will bring every deed into judgement, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Eccl. 11:14)

How can someone change? How can they turn away from living for their own self-ambitions and its resulting consequences? Solomon gave us the answer “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Eccl. 11:13) And what is one of those commands? Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live…” (John 11:25)

When a person fully commitments themselves to Christ by faith, a change takes place. They receive a new nature and their soul comes alive. And as part of this, there is a shift in their appetites. Now they desire to do all for the glory and honor of God. They desire to be a genuine help to others. They desire to do nothing to satisfy their own longings, but only that of God and others. And what is the fruit of that kind of life? Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Gentleness. Faithfulness. Self-control. Today, turn from living for self, and choose to live fully for Christ. 

A prayer for you - Lord God, I pray that every person would find fulfillment for all they desire in you. May they turn from seeking things outside of you, and discover how you are sufficient for all their longings, wants and needs. In you is found everything. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Are You Ready to Lay Your Burden Down?

“What burden are you carrying? I tell you with confidence, there is one person waiting who is willing to help you lay it down.”

There are millions of people carrying such heavy burdens all across our world. They cannot sleep at night and wake up tired. They have regular appointments with their counselors. Hobbies and exercise are strategies to find relief. Drugs and alcohol are an escape. Screen time with social media is a diversion from the pressure. What burden are you carrying and for how long? Can I tell you that there is someone who is willing to help you with your burden? I know you have heard of Him – Jesus. (Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay)

Once He was invited to dinner at a religious leader’s home where other guests also came. Together they sat down to eat and began visiting. At the time, Jesus’ fame as a preacher had spread, and so word circulated quickly where He was. A certain prostitute who had heard of Jesus, learned of His whereabouts. She made her way to the house, managed to get inside and found herself standing before Jesus and the other guests. She stood without saying a word and then began weeping. So much, that her tears fell on Jesus’ feet. Seeing that, she bent down and began to wipe the tears off with her hair.

During the whole process, the religious leaders were incensed at the woman and Jesus. Noticing this, Jesus spoke to the dinner host, addressing his attitude toward her, then turned back to the woman and said, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48) That angered the leaders even more. Then He spoke one final word before she humbly slipped out, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

The prostitute was looking for something, just like all the guests in the room were. But when she heard of Jesus, something awakened inside her that no doubt said, “This is it!” And she overcame the barriers before her to get to Jesus, and when she came to Him, He did not disappoint.

She found forgiveness for all the wrongs she had done. The guilt and shame she had been trying to outrun was finally washed away.

And how did that happen? Faith.

It is interesting to note, what Jesus did not say. He did not refer to anything about religion, morality, goodness or education. Just faith. He did not mention personal will-power, having a positive attitude, perseverance or working hard. Just faith. And what is faith? It was the woman’s complete and total trust in Jesus, which she demonstrated through her coming to Him. She did not care what others thought or how difficult it might be. She was willing to make a fool of herself to get to Jesus. Whatever it took. With the deepest conviction she knew He could give her what she was searching for, yet she received something so much greater.

We are all naturally wired to be independent. We see this when we need something, for we will figure out a way to get it. It might come through hard work and determination, or through more nefarious means like stealing, manipulation or deceit. Either way, by ethical or unethical channels, we will get it.

Faith in Jesus is opposite. The woman did not trust in herself or others, but demonstrated a desperate and determined faith in Christ, and consequently, her life was instantly transformed. She came believing that her life of prostitution was wrong. She was willing to leave it behind and came to Christ in humbleness, seeking His mercy, for she knew He could save her. She was confident Jesus was sufficient for all she needed.

Follow this woman’s example. In resolute and unwavering faith, lay your burden down at Jesus’ feet and receive His forgiveness and peace.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I pray you will help people to come to you and lay their burdens down. May they stop trying to carry it themselves, doing it their way. Let them realize you are sufficient for all their needs. Help them to stop trying, and start trusting, trusting fully in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

How To Become Rich

“Jesus died and rose again 

to make you rich.”

In 1848 a young struggling family of four immigrated from Scotland to the United States. Andy, who was 13 years old, jumped right in to help his financially strapped family. His parents let him get a job at a cotton mill for $1.20 a week, which is equivalent to $48 a week in today’s numbers. Andy worked hard and eventually moved onto a local telegraph company, and then to the railroad. He excelled there and was promoted to supervisor by the time he was 24. One day an opportunity came to financially invest in the railroad, which proved to be profitable and launched him into the world of investing and business. One of those businesses was steel, and in 1873, while not yet 40 years old, he organized a new company, which soon became the largest steel company in the world. Then in 1901 Andrew Carnegie sold his business, which made him the world’s richest man. (Image from Pixabay)

Can a poor man become rich? You bet! Mr. Carnegie is an example of that, but what kind of wealth am I really talking about?

Jesus once told a story about two polar opposite men. “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.’” (Luke 16:9-25)

The story is meant to illustrate spiritual and moral truths. Jesus is not communicating how all wealthy people are oppressors, and how all poor are the oppressed, nor is He promoting the division of society into economic classes. Rather, one of the truths Jesus is teaching is how the rich man is a picture of mankind without God.

The rich man was only focused on his life, giving no thought about God or life beyond the grave. He was selfish, giving no consideration to the needs of the poor man. He was also prideful, exalting himself over the destitute man. Are you like the rich man, only living for this life, selfish and prideful? When one lives without God, these are the attitudes of his life. What happened when the rich man died? He instantly found himself in hell. When a person dies without God, they are separated from Him and all His goodness forever. While the rich man lived, he had all this world could offer him, but upon death, he was condemned to eternal poverty.

How can one truly become rich; that is rich in the things of eternal value? Simple. Have the spirit of the poor man, for he exhibited an attitude of humility and dependency upon God for all his needs. Then upon his death, he entered into the riches and glory of heaven for all eternity.

Jesus died and rose again to make you rich. For when you turn from your sinful ways and place your faith in Christ, then you will possess Him. And when His Spirit is in you, you become one of the wealthiest people on earth. For to possess Jesus, is to possess all the treasures of heaven.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray that people will examine their hearts to see if they have the heart of the rich man. Then bring each one to turn from their selfish and prideful ways, and turn to Jesus. And fill them with the Spirit of Christ, that they may become eternally rich in the things of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.