Where Is God When Tragedy Strikes?
- God is with us just like He was with his Son when Jesus was crucified on the cross.
- He promises never to leave or forsake us, even when we walk through the darkest valleys, whether we are mourning the loss of loved ones through a tragic event or are suffering from a personal conflict or illness.
- Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
- God delivers all of his children. It may not be in the timing we want, or in the manner that we want, but it will occur in His perfect timing.
The Hard Truth About Why We Suffer
The Fallen Nature of the World
- We live in a fallen world. Tragedy and suffering exist because the world is broken by sin. Sin was introduced by Adam when He sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. We are all descendants of Adam, and thus we are all conceived and born in sin.
- We all have the sin virus.
- Genesis 3:17 says, “‘Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life.’”
- Romans 8:22 – “For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.”
Facing Death
- The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is a notable example of unwavering faith in God’s power and willingness to deliver His faithful servants facing death. These three individuals, when faced with the threat of a horrible death in a fiery furnace for refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, displayed remarkable confidence in God’s ability to save them.
- Their bold response to the king, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king,” demonstrates their steadfast belief in God’s omnipotence and readiness to intervene on their behalf. This biblical account serves as an inspiration for believers, encouraging them to trust in God’s power even in seemingly impossible situations.
- Daniel 3:25-26 says, “He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire.” Nebuchadnezzar was the king who ordered them burned alive, yet God saved them.
- Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
God Is Present in Our Suffering
- Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God promises His presence, especially in moments of deep pain. He may not always remove the suffering, but He walks with us through it.
God Understands Our Pain
- Through Jesus Christ, God experienced human suffering firsthand. Isaiah 53:3 describes Jesus as “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” His crucifixion is a profound example of how God entered into the worst of human tragedy to ultimately bring redemption.
God Comforts and Strengthens Us
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
- God works through the Holy Spirit, scripture, and us to bring comfort to those in grief and tragedy.
God Uses Tragedy for Good
- Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
- Though difficult to see in the moment, God can bring about spiritual growth, healing, or purpose through suffering.
God Calls Us to Be His Hands and Feet
- In times of tragedy, God often works through people—His church and His followers—to bring relief, encouragement, and support to those in need.
- Galatians 6:2 encourages us to “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
God Points Us to Eternal Hope
- Revelation 21:4 promises a future where “…He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” In times of tragedy, we are reminded that this world is temporary, and God has prepared an eternal place of peace and joy for those who trust in Him.
What Tragic Events Teach Us
- We already know that life often brings tragedy and suffering, leaving many to question why bad things happen to good people. This is the same question asked throughout the Bible by people like Job, Habakkuk, and the psalmists.
- Habakkuk 1:2-3 – “How long, O Lord, will I call for help, And You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save.”
- Although we may not fully understand God’s plan, scripture reveals important lessons that tragedy and suffering can teach us.
- John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
God Is Present in Our Suffering
- Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
- God promises His presence, especially in moments of deep pain. He may not always remove the suffering, but He walks with us through it.
God Understands Our Pain
- Through Jesus Christ, God experienced human suffering firsthand.
- Isaiah 53:3 describes Jesus as “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” His crucifixion is a profound example of how God entered into the worst of human tragedy to ultimately bring redemption.
God Comforts and Strengthens Us
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
- God works through the Holy Spirit, scripture, and us to bring comfort to those in grief and tragedy.
God Calls Us to Be His Hands and Feet
- In times of tragedy, God often works through people—His church and His followers—to bring relief, encouragement, and support to those in need.
- Galatians 6:2 encourages us to “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
God Points Us to Eternal Hope
- Revelation 21:4 promises a future where “…He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
- In times of tragedy, we are reminded that this world is temporary, and God has prepared an eternal place of peace and joy for those who trust in Him.
What Tragic Events Teach Us
- We already know that life often brings tragedy and suffering, leaving many to question why bad things happen. This is the same question asked throughout the Bible by people like Job, Habakkuk, and the psalmists.
- Habakkuk 1:2-3 – “How long, O Lord, will I call for help, And You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save.”
- Although we may not fully understand God’s plan, scripture reveals important lessons that tragedy and suffering can teach us.
- John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
God’s Sovereignty and Wisdom
- God’s ways and plans are higher than our understanding. We cannot always see the full picture of His purposes.
- Isaiah 55:8-9 – “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.’”
- Job 42:2-3 – “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
Tragedy Strengthens and Refines Our Faith
- Suffering can be a test that strengthens our faith and perseverance. God refines His people through trials, making their faith stronger and more genuine.
- James 1:2-3 – “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 – “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”
Suffering Can Lead to Greater Good
- While suffering may seem meaningless, God can use it for a greater purpose.
- Joseph suffered betrayal and imprisonment but ultimately saved many lives through his faithfulness. Joseph was the first son of Rachel (Genesis 30:22–24); he was set apart among the sons of Jacob—favored by his father and despised by his brothers (Genesis 37:2–4).
- Genesis 50:20 – ““As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”
- Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
- This means that God in his Providence orchestrates every event that happens in life – temptation, sin, and suffering, for our time on earth and for our eternal benefit.
- Deuteronomy 8:15-17 says, “He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint. “In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end. “Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.”
- As we see in the New Testament letters (the Epistles), these events are the call of God of His elect that brings them to salvation.
- Romans 8:29-33 – “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies…”
Tragedy Refocuses Our Priorities
- Suffering often causes people to reassess their priorities, helping them focus on eternal values rather than earthly ones.
- Jesus taught the importance of seeking treasures in heaven.
- Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Suffering Points Us to Eternal Hope
- This life is not the end. Tragedy reminds us of our hope in Christ for an eternal life free from pain and sorrow.
- Revelation 21:4 – “and and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
- While we will not always understand why bad things happen, we can lean on God’s promises in scripture to provide lessons of faith, refinement, compassion, and eternal hope.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
The Most Important Step We Can Take in a Fallen World
- Life is short. Our days are numbered. We never know when we will breathe our last breath on earth. Only God knows.
- Luke 12:19-20 says, “‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’”
- There are only one of two places where each of us will instantly go into eternity: Heaven or Hell. Everyone will be judged by Jesus Christ. There will be no second chance to accept Christ after someone has died. For those who have accepted Christ, our souls immediately go to the third Heaven where God resides. For those who have rejected Christ, their souls go immediately to Hades to await their final destination for eternity in Hell.
Warning
- Nowhere in the Bible does it state to pray a magic prayer or that you must be baptized for eternal salvation. Anyone who says otherwise is a false teacher.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
- It is important for us note in this verse that no action by man or woman can initiate the salvation process. It is God who moves to save us, not us moving to get God to save us. Man does not naturally seek God; God seeks us.
- Romans 3:10-12 tells us, “‘as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.’”
- If you or someone you know feels a prompting in your heart to accept Christ, it may be God who is moving in you. Now is the time to accept His invitation as there is no second chance to do so if you die before accepting Christ. Tragedies remind us that our time on earth is short, very short in some cases. We never know when our time is finished on earth.
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