This week’s devotions are based on Week 2 of Stormproof – Tornadoes of Tragedy (CLICK HERE)
There is no shortage of tragedies in our country right now.
Loss and destruction have been left in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. People are homeless after their houses were washed down the river. People’s livelihood is gone and where their store once stood is the flowing of a river. Sand fills people’s homes. And maybe what hurts most is families planning funerals for loved ones or simply hanging in limbo wondering if their friend or family member is alive or buried in the mud of the flood.
Tragedies are hard. Even when they don’t affect us personally, we feel a small part of the pain someone is going through and perhaps silently are grateful it was not us.
Tragedies rock our world. In a moment, the vision we had for our life is greatly altered and the course we were charting takes a hard turn or comes to an abrupt stop.
Tragedies challenge our faith. Perhaps of all events in life, tragedies put our faith to the test and lead us to question God’s love, faithfulness or goodness. When life is smooth faith is easy, but perhaps it is for the time of tragedy that we need our faith the most.
So how do we navigate through a moment or season of tragedy? How do we come through stronger than before?
In the wake of hurricane Helene and Milton, we see memes and signs of “WNC strong!” or “We will survive” or “We will rebuild stronger than before.” The human spirit yearns to move on…but does our soul? Do the signs on the outside express the hurt on the inside or does the communication of strength on the outside truly reflect strength on the inside?
The Bible is littered with tragedy and God’s people dealing with it. This week’s devotions will explore a few of those teachings. However, if one is to think of a person in the Bible that epitomizes tragedy, loss, and suffering, it would be Job. The 42 chapters of the book relate the physical and spiritual journey of Job through tragedy and loss. It gives us much to contemplate in our own tragedies, but in the end we see the sovereignty and strength of God who confirms Job’s initial assessment when the barrage of tragedy struck his life. (Job 1:6-22)
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.”
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
12 The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Apply: Take time today to reflect on any tragedy that you have experienced directly or indirectly. Think about this question, “How has it affected me and my relationship with God?”
Prayer: Lord, in the tragedies of life, lead us to trust your love and goodness even when the externals of our life are crashing in around us. AMEN.