BAYO'S PERISCOPE

Dr. Samuel Bayo ArowolajuWednesday, October 19, 2005
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HURRICANE KATRINA:
WHERE IS GOD IN ALL THESE……? (CONCLUDED)


"Why will a good, loving, caring and compassionate God allow tragedies, disasters, devastations, sufferings, pains and aches in the world?

believe that there is a God who is good, merciful and compassionate. He is so good that He does not force His will or way down anybody's throat. He allows us to choose between good and evil, obedience and disobedience, and between Him - God and Satan or the Devil. It is written; God created man and woman and gave them dominion over the earth and everything in it. Logically, that was why God in His wisdom created man last after He had created all other things. Unfortunately, because of greed, avarice and inordinate ambition, which still plague humanity today, man surrendered his dominion over the earth to Satan. This is contained in a biblical story described as the Fall of Man. What a fall! From then till now Satan has been the ruler of this world. Until his last day, Satan will continue to exercise power and dominion over the world and its peoples. Unlike God however, he will always want to force his way and will on people and the world. It was a painful and ungodly choice we made.


If Satan is therefore the god of this world; then, what is God the Creator of the Universe doing? Has He abdicated His responsibilities towards man? Where are the love, goodness, mercy and compassion of God that believers talk about? Then, why do we have to believe in God, serve and worship Him? Does it really make any sense believing, serving and worshiping God with the type of tragedies and devastations we have witnessed recently all over the world? If God is a good God, why does He allow bad things to happen to good people? Why does He allow those who profess to be His own to be partakers of worldly tragedies, devastations, sufferings, aches and pains? Then, are those children of Satan and his worshippers' not right after all?

If I have provoked these questions in you, you are right and may not be alone. There is a refrain in many churches that does not make sense to unbelievers or even new believers. It is often or commonly proclaimed: "God is good; all the time, God is good." The point is how does one look into the eyes of the man who lost all his five children and his wife to the seaquake that triggered the Tsunamis and say that? Or how do I convince the only surviving woman in a Moslem family of seven in Pakistan that Jesus loves her? In the same way how do we say that "God is good; all the time, God is good" to the recent victims of the land and mudslides in Guatemala, those who lost all - homes and belongings, families and friends, businesses and jobs to hurricanes Katrina and Rita or the flood that ravaged the East Coat? As ridiculous or hard to swallow as this may sound it is true that nothing and I mean NOTHING can separate us from the love and goodness of God. Not all these tragedies and devastations, not all aches and pains and sufferings. Not even death!!!!

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Though man lost this dominion of the earth to Satan, God still has power and dominion over Satan like all other creatures. God is merciful, loving and compassionate but JUST. Justice is one attribute or characteristic of God that should make us tremble before Him. Unfortunately however, most of us have all taken Him for granted. Most people think they know Him when in reality they have no idea of who He is. Most people think that they serve Him when in fact they grief Him. Many think they hear from Him when it is with the Satan that they have direct line of communication. Jesus warned that not all those who call Him Lord would enter into His kingdom because of their work of iniquities. The measure of God's love for us is more than that of his judgment to us. He is just because He is righteous. He does not brook disobedience and His eyes cannot see sins and iniquities, which are what separate us from Him. He is loving and kind but He is angry everyday against all forms of unrighteousness. This is what I call righteous wrath.

Most people live in the self deception of being good. We mistake the goodness of God with His love. Some have even declared that because of their goodness, they are heaven bound as their service to mankind is a perfect substitute to knowing and serving God. A man told me recently that his father just passed away. I quickly asked if he was a Christian. He said no but that he was a good man. I had nothing left but pity for the dead man because no one is good and no one will make heaven because of his goodness, what he did or did not do. This, to some is too simple to believe or take but it our choice to take it or leave it. In the beginning, God created everything that would provide comfort and good life for man even before he was created. So, from the very first minute, man did not lack any good thing; everything was good. Like a good father He set boundaries. He gave man rules and above all, He gave man a free will; CHOICE, including choice to live or die. He commanded man not to eat of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil or he dies. Man chose to obey Satan rather than God and therefore chose death instead of life.

Did God abandon man in spite of his rebellion against Him? No. He searched and looked out for him like a good Shepherd looking for a lost sheep. Though man was afraid, he was not repentant. He refused to accept responsibilities for his sinful actions. The earth was therefore cursed for the sake of man and to the cursed earth he will finally returned. He and his wife were sent out of the Kingdom of God (Paradise) which the Garden of Eden represented because they have lost their goodness and fitness for God's fellowship. The gates of the Paradise were guarded by two Angels armed with swords of flaming fire to present them from returning. Since then we have been living on the cursed earth. The cursed earth has since then not only producing thistles and thorns as harvests of our rebellion; it soon started soaking our blood. We have not only been suffering hardships and wiping sweats from our brows; aches and pains in our joints and ligaments have characterized the progressive wear and tear of our body. This is what I call installment death, which has characterized our lives. In our rebellion with God, man sowed the wind and has since being reaping bountiful harvests of storms, floods, landslides, droughts, famines, earthquakes and seaquakes, which are all produce of the cursed earth. As bonuses for our harvests of woes, we also have hatred, wars, terrorisms and other crimes, which are proceeds of the wicked and perverted mind and the rebellious heart of man.

Does God take joy in our sufferings, aches and pains? No but He cannot and will not beat us back to be under His comfort zone from where we moved out of our own free volition. It is simply like a man who holds an umbrella over our head against the rain or the heat of the sun but we decided to move out of the comfort of the umbrella to suffer the strokes of the sun or the cold from the rain. It was a choice. We should not blame God for this as we cannot blame the generous man who placed the umbrella over our head. Should our self-inflicted sufferings therefore change the goodness of God? No way. He did not change his position or disposition towards man. Rather, it was man who changed his obedient disposition. Clay which argues or disagrees with the potter deserves not becoming a beautiful pottery or clayware.

Is God the cause of human tragedies and disasters including individual aches, pains and the vicissitudes of life? No. As nobody builds a beautiful, well furnished and equipped house and wakes up one day to destroy it; so God will not destroy all the bright and beautiful things He made for His pleasure. Remember that He labored for six days to create the heavens and the earth and everything in them including the man. Most of us work for fewer days now; five days a week. Does He know about such disasters and tragedies that have been plaguing the earth? Yes because He knows everything including those unknowable to man. He knows about the small headaches and the big devastations that confront us. Are all these tragedies and disasters, natural and man made out of God's control? No because He has everything under His controls including Satan the Evil One who is the architect and cause of every evil in the world. Yet, strangely He allows them.

Why should God if He is so good allow Satan to cause so much havoc in the world created by God? Why should God fold His hands and watch Satan afflict man whom God created in His own image out of so much love? It is because that was what we chose. With defined consequences, God gave man a choice between obeying Him or Satan, we chose to obey Satan and therefore chose all other things Satan has to offer, which include the smallest pain to the most atrocious disaster and tragedy in the world today and the ones to come. These include crimes and tragedies we unleash against ourselves as human beings. They are inspired by the Evil One whose missions in life are to steal, kill, maim and destroy. Remember that it is because man sold his birthright to Satan that he took the attributes of Satan. Let me say clearly here that we have not seen anything yet. What the earth has witnessed or witnessing now are mere signs and not the real suffering, aches, pains, devastation, tragedies and the like. If you have not, make sure that you are not left behind when the Master will come back and take his own Home, make sure that you will not witness the reign of 'World President' and so that you will have salvation and not condemnation or so that you will eternal life and NOT eternal death. The two, which are opposites and true, are reserved for those deserving of them.

Then, why should God allow 'good' and innocent people to suffer. Nobody is good and innocent. By the sin of one man sin came into the whole world, and therefore we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. A loving, merciful and compassionate God has however provided an escape from earning the wages of sin, which is death. He has given us a road map that will lead us back to His comfort zone where we were before the Fall of Man. This again, is borne out of his love for us and His inherent goodness. That was the same love and goodness He demonstrated immediately after we fell from His grace. That was when he changed the fig leaves with which we covered our nakedness and shame to hides and skin - stronger, thicker, better and longer lasting. This is to show that He always has a better plan for us if allow Him.

In major catastrophes, tragedies and disasters in life and in many individual and personal trials, aches and pains; where is God? The answer to this question depends on our relationship with God and our beliefs. I am not here to convince any unbeliever to believe. I have learned that no explanation is sufficient for the children of perdition and none is necessary for those are destined for salvation. The good thing is that the way we think about God does not define or affect or change Him. I am speaking to reinforce the belief of those who believe in God and in His Son Jesus Christ. It may however be an opportunity for those who will be partakers of His love and redemption. Our religious attitude is our only an attempt to find God but the Gospel is God's chosen way or road map to reach out to man and bring him back to His Kingdom from his chosen path of sinfulness, disobedience and destruction. This process is called salvation, which cannot be earned by our good work or religion. It does not depend on what we have done, left undone, could do, or will do or will not do. Our salvation ONLY and SOLELY depends on what God Himself has done. It is dependent on our readiness to accept the gift of life as offered by God through His Son Jesus the Christ. For those who have passed through this process of salvation by simply accepting this gift, there will definitely be a difference in the way they confront the storms of their lives. This is a blessed assurance.

All believers have this unique capacity of being in the world but not of the world. It is like a ship or boat being on water but not in water. The very moment water starts getting into a boat; it is a sign of trouble which if not quickly remedied may develop into a major disaster and tragedy. So be it with anyone who is of the world. No matter the degree or category of the storm or hurricane confronting a Christian, he/she must be of good cheer because he/she is an over-comer already. More than 2,000 years ago, before all the present believers were born, before all the current devastations and tragedies of the world, before our troubles and sorrows, trials and tribulations, or the storms in the individuals' life; the one who silenced the storm, the one whom the seas and the winds obeyed had said that: In this world there will be trials and tribulations, storms and hurricanes, aches and pains BUT we should fear not but be of good cheers because he has overcome the world for us. He could say this because He knows us more than we know ourselves. He knows what we will go through even before we know or have the slightest inkling or idea or before they ever started.

This may be very difficult to understand especially in the face of sufferings, pains and aches or a major crisis like terminal illness or death. A believer without FAITH is not a believer but a deceiver. Faith in God is not emotion but a real, true and objective trust place in a true, real and objective God. I have traveled in airplanes many times across land and seas. I have never boarded a plane questioning or doubting the competence of the captains and the crew or the air worthiness of the plane in taking me to my destinations. I am not alone as many or most flyers do the same. Our faith in God should be far more and better than that which put our lives in the hand of fellow men including the works of their hands. Many, who have gone through surgery normally have after surgery plans, meaning that they trusted and have faith in the surgeon cutting them open and sowing them up perfectly. Man, his science and technology may fail but God cannot and will not fail those who put their trust and faith in Him.

Faith does not mean that one should be a fatalist or zombie. No. It does not mean that anyone faced with eminent or apparent danger should refuse to evacuate, prevent, and control it as much as possible. It is not faith but foolhardiness to run head long into a clear and avoidable but present danger or any unwanted situation and circumstances. No, true faith is doing our parts or playing our roles while we allow God to do His part or play His own role. True faith is trusting in the goodness of God that He did not cause our aches and pains but that He's able to take them away. True faith is going to God in moments when we cannot help ourselves believing that He is God who will answer those who diligently seek Him. This is why He created us in His image with intelligence; wisdom, knowledge, understanding and other abilities and capabilities not given to any other creature. A job applicant's faith is in God's ability to provide him a job only if he prays and actively looks for job by contacting the right persons, sending out resumes, and preparing for and attending interviews. Such applicant will be deceiving himself if he sleeps in the church all day and night long, fasting and praying for a job for which he has not applied. That is not faith but folly. That is faith that cannot work, which is dead.

Does it mean that as believers we will always get all what we want here on earth because we are faithful and prayerful? The answer is a resounding NO. None of the Patriarchs or the Apostles got all what they wanted here on earth. Remember that Satan is the ruler of this present world system and nothing fair or perfect could or would come from him. A friend complained recently about how another friend unfairly treated him and was asking why that could come from a seemingly trusted friend. I said I did not know why but what I know is that the whole world system is unfair. If the world is governed by God, we will all have all the good things of life since He created and loves us equally. The world will not be filled with so much hate, wickedness, unfairness and inequalities.

Many people unnecessarily drag God to what are purely within the scope of humanity. I was a soccer player during my youthful days. At the start of major games and half times you find the two competing teams praying to the same God for victory and only one team can win. There are many car stickers and wrist bands these days in America saying: Pray for Our Troops, yet about 2000 of them have been killed since the war in Iraq started. Recently I heard a father of one of our soldiers fighting in Iraq saying that it is prayer that has kept his son safe. If that is true, then why did God allow the children of John and Mary praying in the same church to die in the same war? That is the world of inequalities and unfairness not under the governance of God but that of Lucifer the Satan.

Look at it this way; nobody comes to this world with the opportunity of choosing his/her parents, his color, race, nationality or place of birth. Yet some are born with silver spoons in their mouth while many others are born without spoons at all and eat with their hands. Every child born into the British Royal family is a millionaire at birth without the child having any atom of control over this. Can we for a moment imagine through living examples the type of influence, affluence and opulence in which such children are raised and cared for? Imagine the power and privilege the accident of birth confers on them. When British Prince Williams theatrically carried an axe to knock on wood during his tour of South America, the spectacle was shown to every home that has TV all over the world. Whereas, many people of his age or younger or older, use the same axe or those with worse handles as heavers of woods and rocks for living in other parts of the world. Yet, nobody cares about them. They live in poverty and die in penury unsung. Could that type of arrangements be the will and design of a good, loving and caring God? I don't think so. Is it because God loves the rich royal families more than the poor rural families? Absolutely no! Is it because God hate those heavers of wood and drawers of water? Not at all! Are the princes and paupers created by the same God and have the same blood flowing in their veins? Of course yes. We can forget about the royalty and the fictitious blue blood for now as we all have the same red blood flowing in our veins. Blue blood is a lie or a myth at best or a sign of sickness.

For those who truly believe and have working faith in God, and for those who truly love, obey and trust God, God is always with them in whatever they are going through. As the best insurance policy does not prevent damage or injury even if you displayed the policy on your property so our faith in God does not insulate us from suffering, pains and aches of this world. But more than you can trust that a good insurance policy will mitigate or redeem your loss, God will always be there for you in moments of need if you truly know Him and He knows you. The truth however is that as not all insurance policies are genuine; in the same way, not all believers are genuine. Those who faithfully serve a genuine and faithful God will receive the reward from a genuine and faithful God. Remember however that we cannot mock God; it is what we sow that we will reap.

The same principle of sowing and reaping should remind us that we must be ready to have the patience of a farmer. I live in a farming community where farmers sow and reap corn and soybeans and have seen this principle played out before my very eyes. Reaping or harvesting does not come easy or in one day. There is a time of labor or a period of toil to prepare the land and wait for the right time to plant or sow their seeds; they must also have a good seed like we need to have a good faith. After all their efforts, labors and other inputs, they have to wait for God's adequate rain, air and sunshine; none of which is within their control. Then they have to wait for the appointed time of God for harvesting or reaping. As no farmer will dictate to God the amount of rain and sunshine he needs or the increase to his crops, so no man can dictate to God what he deserves to receive from Him for his or her faith and service to God. It is absolute in God's own term and time.

To the Christians I say, if you have Jesus as your King and He said His kingdom is not of this world, then we cannot expect to reign with Him in this corrupt world. Our joy, happiness, pleasures and treasures are laid up for the time and place where the current corruptible will become incorruptible and when the present imperfection becomes perfect. To expect these in this world under the reign of Lucifer the god of this world, will be like a fleeting illusion which we can pursue but will never attain. God is not responsible for all the inequalities of this life. Especially inequalities brought about by situations and circumstances beyond our control such as lack of equal opportunities.

God is still God sited in His heavenly throne even when we suffer calamities and tragedies, aches and pains, and when we are confronted with the storms of life, physical or spiritual. The Man Jesus suffered and died the most excruciating death at the age of 33 years, having been betrayed by a friend for monetary gains. No man, living or dead has ever reached his spiritual height and relationship with God. All the apostles of the old except John died in similar circumstances. None of them died because of his sins against God or crimes against humanity. Why did God not prevent their aches, pains, suffering and death? I don't know but I know that God knows. Above all, I know He has reasons for allowing such to come to His loved ones. I am also very sure that if God wanted, He has the will, capacity and capability to prevent what happened to them and us some of the time. Without any iota of doubt in my mind, I know that God has the will, capacity and capability to turn our unwanted situations and circumstances around even for our good. If He does not do that, it is not because He hates us; it is because His Grace is sufficient for us. The good thing is that if He has not yet delivered what He promised us His delay should not be construed to be denial. After all, this world is not our home; we are merely passing through and our treasures and pleasures are laid up abundantly for us in heaven, which is our home.

Remember, your belief in God will not cause you anything while you live in this world but your unbelief will cause you everything when you leave this world.

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Copyright - 2005 Dr. Samuel Bayo Arowolaju