Let any natural disaster occur, where there is loss of property or life, and the question is inevitably asked, "Where was God in this?" Let there be some human tragedy, as in the recent shootings in Colorado, or those which have followed, and the question is raised, "Where was God in this tragedy?" In the political realm, when evil seems to gain the upper hand in the matters of a nation, some ask, "Where is God in this? Why would He allow such things to happen?" The nature of the questions implies God must not exist, or He must be weak and ineffective, or even worse, perhaps He is evil Himself to allow evil to exist.
Of course, God is not evil, nor does He engage in any form of evil. He is a holy God (1 Peter 1:16), and only responds from pure motives (James 1:13). Nor doesGod distance himself from His creation, in that He is unaware of what is happening or unavailable to care for it. Paul reminded the Colossians that all things were made through God in Christ, and that in Him all things consist, or hold together (Colossians 1:16-19). The answer to the question, "Where is God" then is, He's where he always been, in charge of all His creation.
God has created humanity with free will, the ability to choose how one lives. He created us able to make decisions for ourselves, whether to serve Him or live for self, which is to live in sin. Sin comes with consequences, altering how creation functions, being cursed (Genesis 3:17-18). Paul states, "For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it" (Romans 8:20), and adds, "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (8:22). Sin is the reason our world is filled with evil and all its consequences.
So, where is God in all this? Fulfilling His eternal purpose, as He has always done. Paul reminds us, "For what if some were without faith? Shall their want of faith make of none effect the faithfulness of God? God forbid" (Romans 3:3-4). The psalmist reminds us, "God reigneth over the nations: God sitteth upon his holy throne" (Psalm 47:8). The theme of Revelation is that God's purpose will be triumphant, no matter what humanity does. There is a day when all sin, all evil will be dealt with in His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:10). Until then, "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure" (Isaiah 46:9-10).
God reminds us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). The question isn't if God is still in charge, but whether or not we are willing to trust the sovereignty of God.
Robert Johnson, Longview, TX
