Response to a comment

The following comment was made on my November 15, 2010 post:

Anonymous said . . .
    I enjoyed reading your comments. I do try to see god [sic] and good in all things but stumble when I read today about the massacre in Norway. It is so difficult to see God or good in this scenario. Can we really believe that God's hand is at work here? I do agree that for those relations and friends of the victims who have trust in God, they will know that God is with them in their suffering. Would welcome comments on this.

Thank you. I usually answer all comments with an email, but no email address was left for this one. It is a good question.

For me, it is much easier to give an answer in a blog post than it is to talk to the relatives and friends of those who are hurting. Even the best theological conclusions are tested by the reality of life. That being said, my first thought is that we all die — one way or another, and the Bible indicates that death is our common enemy. Yet death is not the end, only the end of life here. Also, Jesus defeated death and hope in Him defeats the fear of death. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." (John 11:25)

In this terrible situation, as you suggest, those who believe in Him will find comfort. Departure from this world means those who trust Christ are in a far better place. This was my comfort when family members died. However, we still grieve (not as those who have no hope) and the sense of loss can be very painful.

As for trying to see good in this, the Bible does not tell us that all things are good. It says that God uses all things FOR good in the lives of those who love and trust Him. (Romans 8:28) This "good" is defined in the next verse --- we are transformed into the image of His Son. All things means just that. If we examine Calvary, it would seem God was not there either. How could anyone murder His innocent Son? Yet God planned it before the foundation of the world.

Remember that God is not the author of evil. Rather, evil is the absence of goodness. Sin is also the reason for death and violence. God could stop evil, but instead choose to offer us the remedy for sin: forgiveness and the choice of godliness through faith in Christ. If that offer is refused, then sin will prevail.

Disasters are a huge test of faith. This one is no exception even though it was instigated by a human, you are not the only one who wonders about God being in it. Remember that God promises He will never leave or forsake His people. Sadly, there are many who are not His people. They have determined to do their own thing apart from God and the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. God does not force Himself on those who resist Him. He also knows the souls of all victims. I cannot see how he considers individual human hearts in a mass event like this, nor understand why one is taken and another is spared. That is why He asks His people to walk by faith, trusting Him, rather than by sight and trusting what makes sense to us.

One more thought; our tendency also is to want the perfections of heaven on earth. Realistically, as long as sin is given human allegiance, that cannot happen. Personally, I also tend to think that the main reason most of us want that perfection here and now is because of our desire for personal comfort. It would be a lot easier if God just zapped sin. Then I would not have to take a stand against it, either personal sin or the sin that others do. I would not have to share the Gospel or worry about anything.

My prayers for Norway's people and for those who struggle with faith and the goodness of God in times like these.