today i had the opportunity to watch more television coverage of the tragedy & releif efforts in southeast asia. trying to make sense of my feelings and emotions surrounding the thousands of deaths, i found it ironic that today is death of innocents in the days following Christ birth on herod's command. i'd hate to hear people say that "God let this happen" or "where was God to protect." from what i have read, so people have said that. such questions seem immature to me and knee-jerk. i would really feel that my upcoming thoughts should be left for the theologians and wiser. however, for my sake, i give you some thoughts.
for those that truely accept Christ know that God came to earth and lived and man & woman. he lived with the emotions of loss, wept, questioned the will. it seems insane to me to think that a God who feels our pain would cause or "let" pain be caused. there is evil in this world, we all see it and hear about it. this was a natural disaster though, how can you blame it on a person, gavin? is the evil we speak of beyond our understanding, just as the greatness of God? i think so. the sermon i heard on sunday spoke of the incomprehensible evil that herod had in him, but he was just a man.
“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” matthew 2:18
so there is an evil. i can't understand it, but know it is against us. it causes us to weep & mourn. but as in the case with herod and the death of innocents. God will comfort & restore his people. i hope our church of Christians will truely be Christ-like in identifying with those weeping.
As rachel weeps. the world hears. God feels. we act. Christ heals.
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels and saints charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest Your weary ones. Bless Your dying ones. Soothe Your suffering ones. Shield Your joyous ones, and all for Your love's sake. Amen
