It seems like tragedy sometimes brings out the best in the world. The September 11th attacks brought unity in this country that we had not seen for quite some time. I remember after the tornadoes hit Tuscaloosa in 2011 I saw people helping strangers and generosity at an all time high in the city. And after these awful terrorist attacks happened in Paris, it brings great joy to see so many people stirred to pray and go to the Almighty in such a time of desperation and need. It is awesome how God can use brokenness to reveal Himself to others.
If you read the book of Judges, you will find that there is a pattern. God rules over and protects the nation of Israel. Then, the people do what is evil in the sight of the Lord by forgetting God and turning to other idols. The anger of the Lord is kindled against His people, and He hands them over to their enemies. After they are overtaken by their enemies, the Israelites cry out to God in their desperation and need. Then God raises up a judge to deliver and rescue His people when He hears their cry. Then, the cycle repeats. The book of judges shows this pattern of events happening seven times. And we read it and think, "How clueless are these people to make the same mistake over and over and over again?"
Now I am not claiming that these terrorist attacks or natural disasters are the result of God's divine judgment. But I do think we have the same tendency as the Israelites did to forget about God when we are prospering and comfortable. When things are going right don't we tend to begin thinking more about our financial goals, football teams, and earthly desires and start thinking about God less? Yet, our desperate need for God is constant, so why aren't we just as prayerful, just as desperate, and just as worshipful in the calm as we are in the storm? When tragedy strikes, we are reminded of how desperately we need God. And praise the Lord, when tragedy strikes and we remember now feeble and frail we are and cry out to God, He is with us. But how do we avoid the pitfall of doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord and forgetting Him when we are prospering?
Give thanks and pray. Never forget how deep you were in debt to God. Never forget that your sin comes with great cost and that you justly deserve eternal separation from God. And please never forget what Jesus did to erase that debt and set you free. He is the ultimate deliverer. So remember God's grace in your life and give thanks. Remember how God has helped you persevere in difficult times, how He has been so faithful to you, and how He has sustained you to this day and give thanks. Remember His promises to you and give thanks. Remember that the daily things we often take for granted were given to us by His grace and give thanks. We desperately need the Lord to protect us and uphold us so ask Him often to do so. We have family, friends, and co-workers who need to hear Good News so pray for them. There is brokenness all over our world so please be mindful to pray for others even when you are prospering. Pray proactively at all times and in all situations, not just reactively. I pray that God would continue to use tragedy to bring people closer to Him, but also that we would have our eyes fixed on Christ during times of blessing as well lest we lose focus and forget about our wonderful God. Don't lose focus church. Give thanks in all circumstances, and let prayer constantly remind you of your need for God.
If you read the book of Judges, you will find that there is a pattern. God rules over and protects the nation of Israel. Then, the people do what is evil in the sight of the Lord by forgetting God and turning to other idols. The anger of the Lord is kindled against His people, and He hands them over to their enemies. After they are overtaken by their enemies, the Israelites cry out to God in their desperation and need. Then God raises up a judge to deliver and rescue His people when He hears their cry. Then, the cycle repeats. The book of judges shows this pattern of events happening seven times. And we read it and think, "How clueless are these people to make the same mistake over and over and over again?"
Now I am not claiming that these terrorist attacks or natural disasters are the result of God's divine judgment. But I do think we have the same tendency as the Israelites did to forget about God when we are prospering and comfortable. When things are going right don't we tend to begin thinking more about our financial goals, football teams, and earthly desires and start thinking about God less? Yet, our desperate need for God is constant, so why aren't we just as prayerful, just as desperate, and just as worshipful in the calm as we are in the storm? When tragedy strikes, we are reminded of how desperately we need God. And praise the Lord, when tragedy strikes and we remember now feeble and frail we are and cry out to God, He is with us. But how do we avoid the pitfall of doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord and forgetting Him when we are prospering?
Give thanks and pray. Never forget how deep you were in debt to God. Never forget that your sin comes with great cost and that you justly deserve eternal separation from God. And please never forget what Jesus did to erase that debt and set you free. He is the ultimate deliverer. So remember God's grace in your life and give thanks. Remember how God has helped you persevere in difficult times, how He has been so faithful to you, and how He has sustained you to this day and give thanks. Remember His promises to you and give thanks. Remember that the daily things we often take for granted were given to us by His grace and give thanks. We desperately need the Lord to protect us and uphold us so ask Him often to do so. We have family, friends, and co-workers who need to hear Good News so pray for them. There is brokenness all over our world so please be mindful to pray for others even when you are prospering. Pray proactively at all times and in all situations, not just reactively. I pray that God would continue to use tragedy to bring people closer to Him, but also that we would have our eyes fixed on Christ during times of blessing as well lest we lose focus and forget about our wonderful God. Don't lose focus church. Give thanks in all circumstances, and let prayer constantly remind you of your need for God.