In light of the recent tragedies that have happened in the United States over the past weeks with the hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, namely Katrina and Rita, it is hard not to think of the memory of 9-11. So many people have been affected and have been looking around for answers to questions like, "Why did this happen?" or "What are we going to do now?" Even further, you begin to hear questions from people you never thought to have an interest in religion such as, "Where is God now?" or "Why does God allow things like this to happen? Doesn't He care?! How can God exist and all this trajedy come upon us? Isn't He watching?" Sometimes these events actually bring people to their knees and allow them to realize their desparate need for a Savior. They begin to understand that they are completely bankrupt without him and no pleasure or financial security in the world could ever give them eternal joy. Why are their eyes opened? For the first time, everything is stripped away and it's just them and God, and they can't put their agenda in the way anymore because all is lost. So why doesn't everyone turn to the Lord in times of peril and great need? Because their hearts are desparately wicked and so hard that they do not want to release their grasp on their suppression of the truth.

I do want to answer the question of "Why does God allow things like this to happen?" The answer to that question will continue to circle around the issue of why God does anything. The easy answer is, "for His glory." But why? How in the world does God get glory from watching people suffer? That's the wrong question. God doesn't get excited by watching people suffer, it doesn't give Him some sort of boost of energy when He is about to send something that is going to wipe out people. God exercises His judgement on things because the end result will ultimately give Him the most glory, whether WE see it or not. Why is there a hell? Why is there sin in the world? Didn't God know Adam and Eve would sin? Of course He did! God knows all things. Then why? Think of it this way, if there was no sin in the world, would we be able to know everything about God? We would know nothing of God's judgement, and on top of that, we would know nothing of His great mercy and grace. If there was no sin, Jesus never had to come, and if that didn't happen, we would have no salvation. God is receiving the glory by revealing Himself fully to mankind.

In essence, God is more concerned for His glory than our comfort and He receives just as much glory by exercizing His judgement by someone burning in hell as He does by granting salvation to an unworthy sinner and having them rejoice eternally and praise God for the rest of time. Sound harsh? Remember how small you are in comparison to the eternal Godhead, and His plan for the world. That makes the picture a little more clear. If God did not bring justice to an unbeliever by having them go to hell, He would be not only compromising the purity of heaven, but He would no longer be a perfect God and we would all be dead in our sins. Praise God for being in control because if anyone else were, we'd all be in deep trouble.

I once was lost, but now am found. I once was blind, but now I see. I once was dead, but now I live. Hallelujah! Praise be to our great God and Savior Jesus Christ now and forevermore.

May we only desire to give glory to God and enjoy Him forever.

In the Master's Service,
IPM