In response to the present crisis, some are quick to point to God. He is bringing this upon us to teach us a lesson, they say. I have seen articles online entitled, “God is Shouting, Are You Listening?” or “This is the Finger of God.” I have people say, “God is showing us we can live without certain things or He is showing us the importance of family time, etc.” Slow down.
Yes, in history, the Lord has used calamities to punish a nation. We remember the Lord’s plagues upon the Egyptians (Exodus 4 -13), His judgment against those in Noah’s day or when the Israelites kept murmuring in the wilderness (Numbers 21), etc. But, it is a huge jump (an unjustified jump) to say that because God has done it once He is doing it now. We simply do not know and will not ever know all God is doing in the universe and beyond. We can know His revealed will in scripture (Eph. 3:3-4), but nothing else beyond that. Ours is to trust and obey, regardless of circumstances (Job 1:20-22).
Why are we so firm about not knowing? It is because God’s nature and intelligence is so much higher than man’s. “The secret things belong to God; the things which are revealed belong to us” (Deut. 29:29). The Lord’s ways are “higher” than ours (Isa.55:8-11). In particular, notice Paul’s words in Romans 11:33-36: “ Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Rom 11:34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” Rom 11:35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” Rom 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
When David’s child was sick, his respect for God is obvious. 2 Samuel 12:21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 2 Samuel 12:22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 2 Samuel 12:23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”
–Have a great day. David
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