Truths in Time of Tragedy
Bishop Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva
As of this writing, the Philippines is still grappling with
the crippling losses to lives and properties that Typhoon Frank
(international codename: Fengshen) viciously wrought throughout the
country last week. Deaths reportedly reached over 500, excluding the
casualties from the 862 people onboard the sunken MV Princess of the
Stars, the hundreds injured and the hundreds still missing. Damages to
properties and infrastructures are mind-boggling.
At such an overwhelming time as this, the human side of us
is naturally inclined to blurt out the single most confounding question:
"Why?"
It is reassuring that where even the most intellectual of
possible human answers may fail us, the Word of the Lord is a constant
source of counsel and courage. Yes. In our time of tragedy, God offers
healing truths … straight from His Word. And what makes these truths
sweeter is the reality that they are echoed by those who experienced the
bitter sting of tragedy themselves … yet learned to lean in the
everlasting arms of the Almighty.
Truth No.1: God's sovereignty is never negated by human
tragedy. Charles R. Swindoll, in the book Starting Over, wrote how the
widow of Dawson Trotman, after learning of her husband's death by
drowning, only "… replied in calm assurance the words of Psalm 115:3: 'But
our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.'"
Swindol recounted: "All of the anguish, the sudden loneliness
that normally consumes and cripples those who survive did not invade that
woman's heart. Instead, she leaned hard upon her sovereign Lord, who had
once again done what He pleased."
This story does not mean that God is pleased that people die.
It does point us, however, to the reality that a person who is totally
submitted to the sovereign lordship of God is able to see beyond the
losses and hurts of the moment and instead trust in His divine goodness.
ruth No. 2: The essence of a man is tried and perfected in
times of tragedy. In the September 10 feature of the L.B. Cowman
devotional, Streams in the Desert, the following is written:
"There is a divine mystery in suffering, one that has a
strange and supernatural power and has never been completely understood by
human reason. No one has ever developed a deep level of spirituality or
holiness without experiencing a great deal of suffering. When a person
who suffers reaches a point where he can be calm and carefree, inwardly
smiling at his own suffering, and no longer asking God to be delivered
from it, then the suffering has accomplished its blessed ministry,
perseverance has "finish[ed] its work" (James 1:4), and the pain of the
Crucifixion has begun to weave itself into a crown."
In God's unerring wisdom, He lovingly uses life's
tragedies as one of His most potent tools in shaping human lives. 2
Corinthians 1:9 validates the didactic power of tragedy to those who are
open to its instruction: "In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we
stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises
the dead." God as the Master Potter and we as the clay, the LORD knows the
exact and precise moment when to take us out of the "fiery furnace." He
knows when enough is enough.
Hence to the extent of our capacity to endure, He
individually deals with us. And He does so, for the fulfillment of His
purpose in us: "The Lord will work out his plans for my life – for your
faithful love, O Lord, endures forever..." (Psalm 13:8a, NLT). Yes,
through it all, God is ever mindful of us. Where we see losses and
brokenness, He sees redemption and glorious restoration: "For I know the
thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans
for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final
outcome" (Jeremiah 29:11, Amp).
"But He knows the way that I take. When He has tried me, I
will come out as gold" (Job 23:10, NLT). "For You have tested us, O God.
You have made us pure like silver is made pure" (Psalm 66:10, NLT). "The
melting-pot is for silver and the hot fire is for gold, but the Lord tests
hearts" (Proverbs 17:3,NLT).
Truth No.3: Human suffering is for a moment, but God's
goodness is for a lifetime. The early believers, in 2 Corinthians
4:16-18, worded it perfectly for us: "So we're not giving up. How could
we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling
apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes
by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes
compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.
There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here
today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."
Indeed, no suffering for the moment is pleasurable. Yet,
it is at such a time that we must all the more humble ourselves before God
and completely submit our will to Him. It is in learning to trust His
divine goodness that we experience His restorative power as mentioned in
Psalm 71:20, "You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will
restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth."
Our country is going through a very difficult season
again. Yet my hope for restoration is in the LORD, because He is
infallible in His goodness.
I pray that when the tempest is finally over, may we all
be found by God singing "It is well, with my soul," just like hymn writer
Haratio Spafford did as he passed through the very spot wherein he lost
all his four daughters to a sea vessel collision in 1873. It takes a heart
of unshakable faith in God to do that.
____________________________________________________________________________
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This message (including any attachments) contains information that may be
confidential. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorized to
receive for the intended recipient), you may not read, print, retain, use,
copy, distribute or disclose to anyone the message or any information
contained in the message. If you have received the message in error,
please advise the sender by reply e-mail, and destroy all copies of the
original message (including any attachments).
