With all of the recent events that have been going on -- the shootings, the terror attacks, the violent protests -- this world is being consumed by anger, lawlessness, and revenge. We are at a point where we can almost expect another mass shooting or attack on the news just about every week. We need to be reminded about God's love for all people, and for those who haven't heard the good news yet, there has never been a better time.
God is everywhere. He holds everyone all over the world in the palm of His hand.
"Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,'
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you."
Psalms 139:7-12
Even in the darkest times, when it seems as if all light has been snuffed out, He is there. Even when we can't see all of His work with our eyes, He is there. Even when we feel utterly useless, when we feel as if we've lost everything, He is there. He is there because He loves us. He loves us so much more than we could ever comprehend. And we must remember that, because He promised that He would never leave us or forsake us.
God never told us that everything would be easy, that everything would go our way. He makes it known to us that there will be suffering. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our talents and weaknesses, and He knows how we best function. And because He knows us so well, He doesn't ever give us anything that we can't handle. Take a look at 1 Peter 5:10 : "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." We are reassured that even after we have suffered, God will build us up and strengthen us through His love. What an amazing promise that is.
As we face suffering in times of tragedy, loss, anger and frustration, remember these verses, and let them be a comfort to you. We might not always feel as though God is there for us, but we always have God's word, His promise and His truth. His plan for us spreads so much farther than we can see, but He commands us this: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.
So, in any time of sorrow or pain, share the good news of God's love and remind each other of His power, for He is greater than any evil deed or wrongdoing that we could possibly experience.
