02 May Where was God?
Ray Baughman embraces family shortly after his home was destroyed by a tornado that left a path of devastation through the north end of Pekin, Il., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes swept across the Midwest on Sunday, causing extensive damage in several central Illinois communities while sending people to their basements for shelter. (AP Photo/Journal Star, Fred Zwicky) MANDATORY CREDIT
In tornado disasters, many wonder why it happened and why it happened to them. Some may praise God for the life they still have even though they may have lost every material thing they owned. Deep down some even begin to wonder where was God during the storm. How could He let this happen?
As a storm chaser for over 20 years I have seen many storms; some seem to have a beautiful majesty about them and some seem to be angry and violent. I have watched and wondered some of the same questions about God and if these storms had a purpose. Was God in the storm or was He somewhere else? After the events on the night after Christmas 2015, I began to understand something about storms and God and myself. I hope the following might help you as well in answering the question: Where was God in the midst of the storm?
I came to realize something over the next several days after witnessing the devastation and helping the people in the aftermath. God was not in that storm. He didn’t cause it and He certainly did not like that it hurt and killed anyone. That is not who He is or ever has been. He’s not angry or passing judgment on the people affected by these storms. Why? because God is love. He is love today, yesterday and tomorrow. This has never changed because God does not change.
“I am God—yes, I Am. I haven’t changed. And because I haven’t changed, you, the descendants of Jacob, haven’t been destroyed. You have a long history of ignoring my commands. You haven’t done a thing I’ve told you. Return to me so I can return to you,” says God-of-the-Angel-Armies. (Malachi 3:6-7 MSG)
Jesus came to proclaim the good news of who His Father is and demonstrated His Father’s image through acts of love. Jesus did not do anything or say anything His Father did not tell Him. So when we see the love of Jesus we must see also the one who sent Him.
For I have never spoken on My own initiative or authority, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment regarding what to say and what to speak. (John 12:49 AMP)
As far as the tornados go, look at these verses below. God is clearly not in the storms. As Elijah was seeking the Lord he asked how or where he would find Him. Even though God is all-powerful and can come to us in many ways, He seems to have a way He communicates and is in constant relationship with us and it’s not in bad weather.
So He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord was passing by, and a great and powerful wind was tearing out the mountains and breaking the rocks in pieces before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind, [there was] an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, [there was] a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire, [there was] the sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard the sound, he wrapped his face in his mantle (cloak) and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:11-13 AMP)
The truth for me is that many times as I had watched a developing storm I was trying to hear from God through the storm itself while all along He was saying, “I am here with you now in the small quite voice inside you”. This is where He speaks to me and reveals to me my purpose in being right where I am; ready to help in the time of need. You see, God called me, and my family, not to find Him in the storm but to be His hands and feet in mankind’s greatest time of need. And it’s also in this small still voice that God speaks to those affected by such storms with His love and compassion. This is why so many who have lost everything materially are immediately praising God for their very lives and the lives of their families and neighbors. They see God’s goodness because He is good.
Look at one more verse below. If Jesus came to re-present God’s love to the world, He would not rebuke God’s work. God, therefore, did not cause the storm. It would not make any sense. God cannot be both calamity and love; He is only love. Here we read about the disciples of Jesus out on a boat when a large powerful storm arises and almost capsizes the boat. What does Jesus do? He rebukes the winds.
So leaving the crowd, they took Him with them, just as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him. And a [a]fierce windstorm began to blow, and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already being swamped. 38 But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor’s leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?” And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still (muzzled)!” And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness]. (Mark 4:36-39 AMP)
Like many types of storms that affect our families, God wants us to not live in fear of the storm but to live in peace that comes through Him. The storm on December 26th was a significant weather event that changed many lives in a matter of only minutes. Other storms that hit us such an illness, divorce, watching our children go through struggles and other family issues also can change our lives and have devastating impact on our families. All of these storms should point us to our loving Father for peace and comfort.
So why do bad things happen? It’s because we have an enemy who wants to kill, steal and destroy all things that are of God, which is only good (John 10:10). Many of the storms that affect us are an oppression of the enemy who does not want us to live as God intended.
If you and your family were affected by these storms on December 26th or any other disastrous events and you have wondered where God was? He was with you then and He is with your now and wants to restore anything that is broken, especially your family.
We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 2 Corinthians 13:9 (NIV)
