What Do We Expect?

As a footnote to 's excellent article on Where Was God?, I'd just like to add the question, what does one expect of God? Those who blame God for the bad that happens and then question his love and omnipotence simply fail to acknowledge his position.

It's made very clear in the book of Genesis, chapter 3 vs. 17 where God said:

Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and has eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, 'Thou shalt not eat of it:' cursed is the ground for thy sake;

...

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Well, that can't be good. I think that the phrase: "cursed is the ground for thy sake" is the take home message here and it appears that the price for all of humanity of original sin against God is death. Whether it's a still-born baby, one who lives to be 100 years old, or for anyone anywhere in between. We all will die.

Given this, it's not surprising to me that 120,000 people die in a tsunami, a nuclear blast over Hiroshima, the massive genocide that takes place today, or less dramatic events.

I find it ironic and another example of man's hubris that he would blame God for the "evil" that happens rather than draw closer to Jesus in the hope of an eternal life with Him as it was originally intended to be.

While it is noble to lament the tragedy that befalls others, I also submit that we should contemplate the fate that awaits each of us...death, the return to dust, and why. One shouldn't ask why all of the victims of a fallen world have had to die, rather ask what awaits them after they die. The bigger question for me is, why are any of us alive?

That these events happen only serves to emphasize man's total inability to circumvent the declaration of an Almighty God. Yes, if one is so inclined, they can raise their fist in outrage at Jehovah, and curse Him for being uncaring and unsympathetic, and I have. But in the final analysis, I'm left with the realization that it's simply all the more reason to believe in and trust in Him because this fallen world is not where it's at.

Have a great New Year...