Matthew 5:45b (NKJV)
“…He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Parts of our nation have had devastating winds and floods this past week. Hurricane Helene has been indiscriminate in her attack. As the hurricane approached our shores, I thought of the massive power she represented. Power that ultimately pales in comparison to the power of almighty God. I thought of how small and helpless we are in comparison to a storm and more so to the one true great God.
Now that Helene has passed over us, I am heartbroken over the loss of life and homes. I am also reminded of this verse that explains, life happens to all of us. Sometimes bad things happen because we have brought them on ourselves through poor decisions and actions. Sometimes bad things just happen.
We are quick to use the word “fair” but sometimes I think we forget that if we received what is fair, we wouldn’t survive. We fail to see God’s true power because there’s no way for us to understand it. We fail to see how awful our sin is because we can’t understand the holiness of God. “Fair” would be represented in our destruction. We think we are the judge of what is right and fair when, in many instances, we really are clueless.
In this verse, God sets the record straight. Good and bad happens to both “good” and “bad” people. How do we respond to that? We respond in humility because He is God. We respond redirecting our focus to Him and seeking His guidance and help.
So today I want to encourage you to think and remember. It is useless to ask “why”. Spend your time remembering that God is God. Remember those who are suffering from the trouble they are experiencing. Imagine yourself in their shoes and pray for them all. Pray for them as you would want others to pray for you if you were living through their loss because trouble happens to us all.
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