But let's bring it closer home. For when a child lies dying of a terminal illness, when a teen loses her virtue to a mad rapist, when a dad slams the door on his family, when a wife is beaten by a crazed husband, we look up into the night sky and cry again, "Where in the world ARE You?"
A letter came across my desk some time ago, relating a story of a 38-year-old woman and an unbelievable account of abuse, pain, and heartache. This woman looks at her pastor and asks, "Where was God when all this happened to me?" What do you say? What answers do you give? Are there any answers at all?
The humanity in me wants to scream, "I DON't KNOW! THERE ARE NO ANSWERS." And then the Spirit of Christ within me speaks, "I Am the Answer. It is found in Me." And so from thoughts and stirrings deep within my heart, I share my soul with you. I hope someone, somewhere, will feel and know the presence of the Lord in the midst of . . .
Remember Waldo--the horn-rimmed glasses guy who sold books, puzzles and games as we searched the world for him? Fun for kids of all ages, to be sure! But this isn't that kind of a fun search. For when an Olympic bomb explodes, when a plane crashes, when an earthquake devastates, we look up into the night sky and cry, "Where in the world ARE You?" And THAT's no fun!
But let's bring it closer home. For when a child lies dying of a terminal illness, when a teen loses her virtue to a mad rapist, when a dad slams the door on his family, when a wife is beaten by a crazed husband, we look up into the night sky and cry again, "Where in the world ARE You?"
A letter came across my desk some time ago, relating a story of a 38-year-old woman and an unbelievable account of abuse, pain, and heartache. This woman looks at her pastor and asks, "Where was God when all this happened to me?" What do you say? What answers do you give? Are there any answers at all?
The humanity in me wants to scream, "I DON't KNOW! THERE ARE NO ANSWERS." And then the Spirit of Christ within me speaks, "I Am the Answer. It is found in Me." And so from thoughts and stirrings deep within my heart, I share my soul with you. I hope someone, somewhere, will feel and know the presence of the Lord in the midst of their pain.
A Helping Word...or Two!
Where in the World WERE You?
He was there--on the Cross, suffering the agony of your pain, your abuse, your heartbreak. All hell broke loose on the Son of God as He hung on the Cross bringing salvation to our world and to your soul. Yes, He WAS there, feeling every pain, every abuse, every injustice. He has suffered it for us and with us. And He will be there for you. Look upon His Cross, and know that there is room there for YOU. For where there is unspeakable evil, there is unspeakable grace. Believe it, and LIVE!
Where in the World ARE You?
He is HERE, in your life, waiting for a personal relationship with you, stronger and more intimate than you have ever known. For He is the "ever-present help in time of trouble." The Omnipresent One. The One who wants to walk, talk, and breathe with you, to be involved in your life.
For He's a personal Christ. A Christ Who reveals Himself to YOU! A Christ Who becomes Rhema, the living Word, to YOU! And the Christ who awaits your personal response to Him. HE is the Answer to your questions. But trust is only cultivated in close, loving relationships. Are you willing to be transparent with Him? To divulge your deepest, darkest secret to Him? You will find no condemnation; only love. He will be there to understand and to uphold you in any circumstance. In any evil. For where there is unspeakable evil, there is unspeakable grace. Trust Him, and LIVE!
Where in the World Will You Be?
He WILL be there in every tomorrow. For the Power of the Cross not only cancels the past and comforts the present, it controls the future. Nothing can come to you without first passing through Him. No problem. No heartbreak. No evil. He sits upon His Throne, mighty to the pulling down of every stronghold in your life, past, present, and future. He is enough for time and for eternity. Unspeakable evil will never conquer His unspeakable grace!
Someday the last question will be asked. The last injustice will be inflicted upon humanity. For He will indeed have the last word. It will be a word of authority, casting down dominions and powers and evils from the beginning of time, and for all eternity.. Satan Himself will be cast down, no longer to molest, harm, and malign the people of the Cross. And HE shall reign forever and ever. Until that day, we believe. We trust. We wait, knowing the ultimate answer is in His keeping. And all is well!
And that's just a word...or two, from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)."
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away (Revelation 21:4 KJV)."
"Lord, I am full to the brim with unanswerable questions, both for my world and for my life. There ARE no answers, only YOU. Help me to know that You are enough; where there has been unspeakable evil, there will be unspeakable grace. I trust You, and commit the unanswered questions of my life into Your safe keeping. In Jesus? Name, Amen."
All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Copyright 2006 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, Mo. Used by permission.
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