Kate, thank you for helping me put this tragedy into proper perspective. It hurts so much after seeing this devastating tragedy, especially for the loss of the lives of our fellow Christians. Still, your devotion is a very encouraging reminder today that even when my feeble mind doesn't understand why this tragedy had to occur, not to lean on my own understanding, because God is still sovereign..
I'm thankful the Lord spoke to you through the devotional. It's such a difficult thing and it seems like our country is dealing with more and more tragedies these days. Thanks, as always, Jeaninne for taking the time to read and comment.
It's a heartbreaking reminder that God's ways are beyond our understanding. I know that sounds like a cop out to non-Christians, but there's no other way to explain it.
Not a one of us knows the day or the hour that WE might draw our last breath. The moment of Our birth, how long we live…the moment of our death…. All are known to God before we are even born here. Satan is a created being. Our Father is as sovereign over satan as He is over every other created thing, including us. Though we naturally grieve the loss of any human life, It is likely that all 27 of those Christians are now rejoicing with Jesus in their liberation from this fallen world, as every one of us in whom Christ dwells will do one day as well. In the meantime…. As these deaths remind us of the fragility and the brevity of life…… How ought we to LIVE this day for Christ?
I believe that in the end, we will see that our Heavenly Father follows his own "Golden Rule," treating us as we are commanded to treat others. He would be a hypocrite otherwise. Read Matthew 7:11-12 SLOWLY. 🙏❤️🙏
This was such a heartfelt reflection—thank you for sharing it. Something that’s helped me is remembering that God doesn’t cause these things, even if He allows them in a broken world. I don’t see a distant God when I look at Jesus—I see a God who weeps with us and walks with us through the hardest moments.
As a Texan, a father of two daughters, a grandfather of two granddaughters, and the brother of a sister who was tragically killed at the age of 12, this has brought me to tears more than once. But it is these very kind of circumstances that we either walk by faith or not. And Paul reminds us to "give thanks IN all circumstances," not for the circumstances but for the One who, as you astutely point out Kate, is sovereign in all circumstances. I'll be 70 next month, and God's ways and thoughts continue to amaze me. Thankfully, He is not a "what-if" God, He is an "even-if" faithful God.
Thank you, Kate. I have been holding on to verses like John 16:33 this week. His promise is not that life will be trouble-free, it is that He will be with us in trouble. I mourn for all the families impacted by this flooding and for all the helpers and the danger and tragedy they experience. But I am so thankful for those helpers - they show the good in this world.
It's so hard. Even though bad things happen every day around us, it's stories like this that really hit us and it's hard to wrap our head around. God's glory will always outshine the disaster. The good people doing their part is a bright spot for sure.
Kate, thank you for helping me put this tragedy into proper perspective. It hurts so much after seeing this devastating tragedy, especially for the loss of the lives of our fellow Christians. Still, your devotion is a very encouraging reminder today that even when my feeble mind doesn't understand why this tragedy had to occur, not to lean on my own understanding, because God is still sovereign..
I'm thankful the Lord spoke to you through the devotional. It's such a difficult thing and it seems like our country is dealing with more and more tragedies these days. Thanks, as always, Jeaninne for taking the time to read and comment.
It's a heartbreaking reminder that God's ways are beyond our understanding. I know that sounds like a cop out to non-Christians, but there's no other way to explain it.
You're so right, His ways are higher than our ways and we aren't meant to understand it all.
Not a one of us knows the day or the hour that WE might draw our last breath. The moment of Our birth, how long we live…the moment of our death…. All are known to God before we are even born here. Satan is a created being. Our Father is as sovereign over satan as He is over every other created thing, including us. Though we naturally grieve the loss of any human life, It is likely that all 27 of those Christians are now rejoicing with Jesus in their liberation from this fallen world, as every one of us in whom Christ dwells will do one day as well. In the meantime…. As these deaths remind us of the fragility and the brevity of life…… How ought we to LIVE this day for Christ?
Well said Janet. It's so important to focus on being ready to meet our Savior face to face.
I believe that in the end, we will see that our Heavenly Father follows his own "Golden Rule," treating us as we are commanded to treat others. He would be a hypocrite otherwise. Read Matthew 7:11-12 SLOWLY. 🙏❤️🙏
This was such a heartfelt reflection—thank you for sharing it. Something that’s helped me is remembering that God doesn’t cause these things, even if He allows them in a broken world. I don’t see a distant God when I look at Jesus—I see a God who weeps with us and walks with us through the hardest moments.
He says He is close to the brokenhearted.
As a Texan, a father of two daughters, a grandfather of two granddaughters, and the brother of a sister who was tragically killed at the age of 12, this has brought me to tears more than once. But it is these very kind of circumstances that we either walk by faith or not. And Paul reminds us to "give thanks IN all circumstances," not for the circumstances but for the One who, as you astutely point out Kate, is sovereign in all circumstances. I'll be 70 next month, and God's ways and thoughts continue to amaze me. Thankfully, He is not a "what-if" God, He is an "even-if" faithful God.
Well said Jeff. I like your last sentence about being an "even-if" God. So true.
I always look to Job in times of tragedy. Praying for the victims and families of this devastating event.
The book of Job is in the Bible for a reason. We can learn so much from it.
Thank you, Kate. I have been holding on to verses like John 16:33 this week. His promise is not that life will be trouble-free, it is that He will be with us in trouble. I mourn for all the families impacted by this flooding and for all the helpers and the danger and tragedy they experience. But I am so thankful for those helpers - they show the good in this world.
It's so hard. Even though bad things happen every day around us, it's stories like this that really hit us and it's hard to wrap our head around. God's glory will always outshine the disaster. The good people doing their part is a bright spot for sure.
It's a difficult message to share, Kate.
Yes, we don't understand these things. All we can do now is pray.
Pray for those families who are trying to deal with this tragedy.
It's heartbreaking.