Where Is God?

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD ... From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind ... [and] considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength...But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." - Psalm 33:12-19 (NIV). 




I recall having read in a college newspaper about a student who painted in big white letters right across the side of a garbage truck, "Where is God?" Perhaps he was thinking at some level, why does God allow garbage to happen?


It's an age-old question, as old as Job and as fresh as today: "Where is God when tragedy strikes ... when a loved one dies and the heart is torn with grief ... when innocent children are kidnapped, sexually abused, and murdered? And where was he on September 11, 2001? And again, when terrorist bombs blasted in many areas? Or when a sniper in the Washington, D.C. area was shooting and killing innocent people at random?"


I don't want to sound callous by any means but we are asking the wrong question because God is where he always was and always is. The Apostle Paul said it best, in that God "is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'" See Acts 17:24, 26-28.


So the question needs to be, "Where is man?"


Our problem lies in the fact that we as nations have left God—or are fast leaving him. As God's Word, the Bible, says, "Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord." - Psalm 33:12. And what of those nations whose God is not the Lord? Perhaps history can best answer that question.


But the great tragedy is, as Friedrich Hegel said, "The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history."

Strength out of Weakness

"But he [God] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV). 


I read a few years ago the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.


The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move.


"Sensei," the boy finally said, "shouldn't I be learning more moves?"


"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.


Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "let him continue."


Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.


On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind: "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"


"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."


"The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength."


Hmmm ... very interesting. When it comes to life, for some folk their biggest strength becomes their biggest weakness. For example, as Jesus said about the wealthy man, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." - Matthew 19:24 (NIV). The eye of the needle was referring to a door in the wall of the city (as it was commonly called) which was too small for a camel to go through, meaning that it was impossible for a person who trusts in his riches—or his fame, personality, power or position—to get into God's heaven.


On the other hand, when we acknowledge our weaknesses and know that we need to depend on God for guidance, wisdom, discernment, and deliverance from temptation—this can become our greatest strength.

Authenticity

"When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, 'Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.'" - John 1:47 (NIV). 


"There's a story about a woman finding herself alone in an elevator with the famous and very handsome Robert Redford. As the elevator moved up the floors, the woman, like many of us might, found herself uncontrollably staring at the movie star. Finally, in her excitement and nervousness, she blurted out: 'Are you the real Robert Redford?' To which Redford responded, 'Only when I'm alone.'"


I think that if I were an actor—especially one as successful as Robert Redford—I might find it very difficult to be the real me when I am not acting a part and may all too readily forget who the real me is.


Even without being an actor, I find that one of the most difficult things in life is to be honest with myself. It's hard enough to know and admit what my true feelings are, let alone my motives! And it's all too easy to act out any part to avoid facing the real me. I may act the part of a super-nice (saccharine sweet) fellow to avoid facing my unresolved anger...or super-brave to hide my hidden fears...or gruff and macho to hide my insecurity and so on.


However, it's only as I get real and courageously honest with myself and God that he can help me to grow and become the person he wants me to be. The same goes for getting close to people. Only to the degree that I am open, honest, and real can I relate intimately with those I love. And, unfortunately, the more I hide my true self the more I will live with others together alone apart—a very lonely and unfulfilling existence.

Thanksgiving

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your loving kindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night." - Psalm 92:1-2, (NKJV). 

"Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely young girl with golden hair; I envied her—she seemed so happy, and how I wished I were so fair; When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet—the world is mine.


"And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm; he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm; I said, 'It's nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find'; he turned and said, 'Oh, thank you sir.' And then I saw that he was blind. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes, the world is mine.


"Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue; he stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do; I stopped a moment, then I said, 'Why don't you join the others, dear?' He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears, the world is mine.

"With feet to take me where I'd go; with eyes to see the sunsets glow, with ears to hear what I would know. I am blessed indeed. The world is mine; oh, God, forgive me when I whine."

As many readers will realize, today in many more countries celebrating Thanksgiving Day...a day when friends and family all across this land will join together in a great day of feasting, but I cannot help but wonder how many of us will be truly thankful—I mean truly thankful to God for the abundant blessings he has given to those of us who live in free countries.

The Best Policy

"You may be sure that your sin will find you out." - Numbers 32:23 (NIV). 


Coming home from work, a woman stopped at the corner deli to buy a chicken for supper. The butcher reached into a barrel grabbed the last chicken he had, flung it on the scales behind the counter, and told the woman its weight. She thought for a moment. "I really need a bit more chicken than that," she said. "Do you have any larger ones?"


Without a word, the butcher put the chicken back into the barrel, groped around as though finding another, pulled the same chicken out, and placed it on the scales. "This chicken weighs one pound more," he announced. The woman pondered her options and then said, "Okay. I'll take them both."2 Don't you just love it?


Honesty is still the best policy—and we can be sure of this, our sins/lies will find us out—even if it is eventually!

12 Names of our God:

The 12 Names of our God:

1)"ELOHIM" My Creator...

2)"JEHOVAH" My Lord God...

3)"EL-SHADDAI" My Supplier...

4)"ADONAI" My Master...

5)"JEHOVAH JIREH" My Provider...

6)"JEHOVAH ROPHE" My Healer..

7)"JEHOVAH NISSI" My Banner...

8)"JEHOVAH MIKKADESH"My Sanctifier...

9)"JEHOVAH TSIDKENU" My Righteousness..

10)"JEHOVAH SHALOM"My Peace...

11)"JEHOVAH ROHI" My Shepherd...

12)"JEHOVAH SHAMMAH" My Abiding Peace...

Obstacle Illusions

"He [Jesus] replied, '...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'" - Matthew 17:20 (NIV). 


Grant Frazier said, "Life is full of obstacle illusions." He's right.


Instead of seeing obstacles as opportunities to grow, negative people see them as obstacle illusions. They see them as mountains too high to climb and use them as excuses to hang on to if they don't want to act responsibly and grow up and therein become stronger, healthier persons.


It's all in their attitude of mind—their negative thinking—and they allow their problems to have a crippling effect in their life. They are faith-less!


On the other hand, positive people are faith-full. They see every obstacle, not only as a challenging mountain to climb and conquer, but as an opportunity to grow and become stronger, better, healthier persons. When faced with an obstacle (as another has suggested), they don't tell God how big their problems are. They tell their problems how big their God is!


Neither do they allow past failures to defeat or depress them. And when the devil comes to remind them of their failures, they remind him of his future! Thus ends their discussion with the devil!