God weeps for his children. He sees the horror they’re experiencing in Haiti and he feels a grief that human words cannot describe. He sees the woman holding her crushed child and he feels the sorrow coursing through her being. He wants to hold her in the same way.
The sovereignty of God is a mystery that seems at odds with a tragedy of this scale. As humans we struggle to explain how a good and omnipotent God can allow it.
Worship is the proper response, not speculation or theology on the cheap. For a Christian leader to speculate on national television, for example, about the linkage between the country’s leaders’ pact with the devil centuries ago and this calamity is irresponsible and grossly insensitive. It’s an anthropomorphic syllogism akin to Peter asking Jesus for permission to build booths on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Too often we Americans let our rational minds spin with speculative and convoluted proof-texting. And I want to say, “Can we just stop having to explain this God of ours in ways that bring our tiny minds a shabby and evanescent peace? Can we just let his response be the one that he took four chapters to give Job* starting with, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?”
God help us when we go through our similar tragedy one day, be it through cancer or a car accident. We will have a choice, to bow at the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil and ask “Why?” Or, to bow at the tree of Life and worship. Let’s choose the latter, knowing that our God weeps for his children in Haiti.
*Job 38-41
Comments (10)
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Seth Barnes
I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.
Thanks Seth for the reminder the universe creating God weeps when horror steals the day as in Haiti.
We should follow that example.
Excellent, excellent, excellent, excellent post! I have resisted the temptation to write a scathing blogpost…
Awesome! Brilliant!! Comforting!!! Thanx Seth!!!!
His hands are our hands, His feet are our feet, His money is our money. “Lord, please use our hands, our feet, and our money to demonstrate your love…”
Amen daddy! Thanks for inspiring us to the higher way.
Set, very well said.
But one thing we do know, when Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
So lets give credit where credit is due.
Beautiful imagery. Tragic.
Seth, so beautifully said. Haiti is heavy on my heart. “Worship is the proper response, not speculation or theology on the cheap. “ So well put. My body is broken today and I am forced to be still and pray. Am grateful that in the darkest times that God is personal and loving. And he cares for each of those mourning people in Haiti. I pray, pray, and worship.
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Thank you Seth. These words of truth are a healing balm. God bless you richly.
This was an EXCELLENT response. thanks! The will of God: that NONE shall perish!!! We may not always *experience* the will of God because I think other factors get involved, but His GOODNESS endures!