Where is God?
By Paul Bawden
This is certainly a relevant question when we see the devastating life changing fires in California with lives lost and the indescribable destruction of property, and we can add to that the indescribable destruction and loss of life brought by hurricane Helene.
So, then, where is the biblical God in the midst of these awful happenings? The God who is the Creator, is eternal, personal, has all power, is everywhere at one time, knows the beginning from the end at the same time, and is in control, where is He?
He is there for those who understand that He has suffered more than all of us and identifies with each one in his or her suffering. How so? Refresh your memory about what Christ, the God-man, went through during His passion. He was almost beaten to death, was nailed to a cross, the worst way to die, and then a sword pierced His side. He died to pay the payment for our breaking God’s law, was buried and rose again bodily to be your Savior and mine through faith in Him.
Such means that when we think that God doesn’t care about suffering and the loss of life, we need to think again. Christ’s love, mercy, strength, and forgiveness are available to anyone who will reach out to Him in faith. He is there to bring His comfort and hope. When we hurt, He hurts, for He has gone through “hell” for us to gain heaven for us.
Regardless, it’s still easy to think that God doesn’t care, and He may be at fault for what happens. In each of the instances above, weather patterns were involved, which are beyond human control. In the California fires, there may have been human involvement and mismanagement of circumstances. There are some, though, who may think that such destruction was the judgment of the biblical God upon a nation that is not obeying Him.
Jesus said this in Luke 13:4, “Suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you no, but unless you repent, you all likewise will perish.”
Jesus was saying that in this instance, this tragedy, and I would add other tragedies, one may think it’s the judgment of God, but rather it’s a time for all people to think about their eternal destiny – life is fragile and priceless, are we right with the biblical God? Are we ready to meet Him?
Yes, the biblical God does care when there is loss of life and destruction of property – look at all the hard work of the first responders and those who have gone to help and have contributed financially to assist those in need. They are God’s “angels” in action. Regardless, it’s hard for us to realize what those affected are going through. Still, our prayers are certainly with those who have been directly devastated by the fires and hurricane, some losing loved ones, many their property, and now those who are on their extended journey to put their lives back together and rebuild what they owned.
But when all is said and done, and I say this with kindness, those who have experienced such devastation, and really each of us, need to think about where we will spend eternity. That’s why Jesus said that the one who believes in him will have eternal life (John 3:16). Do you possess His eternal life? I trust you have made that decision for Christ, then you know where God is – He lives in you, so you can live for Him, have His strength, comfort, encouragement, and hope, with the promise of living with Him after this life forever!
Paul Bawden is married and served in the pastoral ministry for 45 years, retiring in 2011. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. in Speech and attended Dallas Theological Seminary, receiving a Master of Theology. He has taken counseling courses at Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois. Paul is a lifetime member of the Evangelical Free Church of America, as well as being a member of Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM), which serves churches during their time of transition in searching for a new pastor. He writes for Union Gospel Press, as well as being a volunteer writer for GotQuestions.org. Paul likes to write, read, bike, and work in the yard. The Bawdens have had the privilege to travel to Mexico and Romania on mission trips and visited various countries in Europe.