Living Through Tragedy

Yesterday we remembered a tragedy  that occurred several years ago. Nine years ago yesterday a group of people hijacked four airplanes and then crashed the planes. We all know the story, two crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, one was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, while on the fourth, the passengers managed to divert the airplane into crashing in a field in Pennsylvania instead of its (perceived) intended target of Washington D.C. This was the first international terrorist incident in the history of the United States of America, and it changed the daily life of the world forever.

Now why do I bring this up in a devotional? I spent some time yesterday praying for the USA, for the survivors of the Twin Towers, and for the families of all the victims and rescue personnel who have died. While I was in prayer, I recalled Genesis 50:20, where Joseph is reassuring his brothers that he bears them no malice “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” I wondered at this verse, because it could be callously interpreted that God intended for that to happen, to bring death to nearly 3000 people in one day because it was for the greater good of all; yet this does not  correlate or harmonize with how the rest of the Bible portrays God. God is consistently shown to care about each person individually and communally (for example: the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7) shows this). So then how exactly is this verse to be applied and interpreted in conjunction with the events of such a tragedy as 9/11? Paul takes this idea of God meaning evil things for good in Romans 8:28,  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God...” (KJV) We know that tragedy is inevitable. Jesus even told us as much in Luke 13:1-5! He also told us to not worry about what may or may not happen (Matthew 6:34) because “Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble.”

Trouble happens. Some of it is Satan trying to get us, but I think that a lot of it is just us. A person was forgetful in doing something. Maybe someone felt denied something and wanted to make things “even.” Perhaps someone was selfish and did something. In all these cases a chain of events can occur that lead to tragedies, both personal and widespread. It happens, and not all of it is the devil's fault. We lay far to much credit to Satan for all the problems in this world. Trouble happens, and for whatever reason it happened, it still happened.  God gives us this assurance though, that Jesus Christ, “He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4 HCSB).  In John 14:27, Jesus tells us “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Over and over and over again we see this theme of “Certainly, there are going to be problems, troubles, disasters, and terrible events that will happen” but we also see reassurance that God will most certainly take whatever evil has befallen us, whatever tragedy has raised it's ugly head, and whatever problem assaults us and He will turn it to bring Him glory and benefit.  When disaster strikes us, how do we react? With terror, frenzied and anxiously? Or do we step out in prayer and faith that God will use it?  After 9/11 thousands came to know Jesus as their personal Savior. Because of 9/11 people have donated more to missions and to service outreach projects. Because of 9/11 there has been a renewed effort to reach out to people because we have learned yet again that life can go at any moment and maybe, just maybe God wants to use us in some small way to help someone else. Perhaps its as simple as giving them a ride to the gas station, or buying them some groceries. Maybe its as important as leading them to Christ. Maybe God just wants to bless us and allow us to watch Him work in our lives. In any case, when we face affliction or misfortune, let us listen and remember our Savior's words in Matthew 11:28-31 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”