GaryK:
What do you say to the people who also prayed for their town not to get hit, but it got hit anyway?
GaryK wrote: ↑Tue Mar 28, 2023 2:29 pm
No, I'm not suggesting we don't pray in times of uncertainty. I just think it's important to remember, when publicly testifying about the goodness of God in sparing us from a storm or even an expected storm,
that for those who also prayed but were not spared,
it can raise a lot of questions about God and themselves.
I think it's also important to remember that nature itself was negatively affected by the fall of man, and while God can certainly intervene in natural disasters if He so chooses, we can't necessarily be certain,
that just because someone or a group of people prayed and things turned out differently than expected, it was in fact God intervening.
This is such an important distinction, without doubt, some wrestle-hard with these questions about God, and understandably so.
It can be a primary stumbling block to faith, again, understandably so. There are so many examples, not the least of which is loss of a beloved child. It’s agonizing. Some pain cuts so deep, it tests devout believers.
Years ago, on MD, there was a short discussion about this, i don’t recall who/details, but someone described “the Amish way” of submitting all things to God’s will, no matter how wanted, or hated. i just completely agree.
Scriptural examples demonstrate how this works out. Hosea, Lot, Boaz, others, all demonstrate how keeping God central is The Way, not predicated on having good fortune. God’s perfect will, not my own.
The Nickel Mines tragedy became a message of faith (in real time) in response to severe pain.
Without knowing details, i imagine different community members struggled in different ways, some may have been tested beyond description. That’s what happens. Faith is tested.
As God demonstrated to Gomer, He uses harsh tests for the purpose of drawing us closer to Him.
God loved Gomer and wanted her with Him. Gomer was stubborn! God prevails.
2 Peter 3:9
https://biblehub.com/2_peter/3-9.htm
8Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice:
With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
9The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
10But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief.
The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.…
(i don’t believe Valerie is far from this, if at all.) i appreciate emphasis of the distinction, which can seem small, but has the potential to make all the difference between believing+trusting, rather than frustration, rage, rejection.
i have witnessed first-hand the pain and havoc caused by this one “small” misunderstanding. it’s agony.
people can wrestle in self-made hell over this one distinction. it is powerful.