Happenings 21 December 2018

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Sometimes the worst of things happen to the best of people. And in those moments, it is not uncommon for us to shake our finger at God demanding to know why. In my experience, the 'why's' of these tragedies are usually left unanswered, and I have made an increasing peace over the years with the question marks. But the Christmas story is remarkable to me for this reason: Jesus, God's Son was sent into this world as a vulnerable baby, and from the outset became a hunted fugitive and an asylum-seeker. Being all-powerful, God could have obviously prevented Jesus being hunted by a crazed and vindictive king ... but he didn't. God's power, even for his own son(!) was not seen in removing him from trouble, but in supporting him in the midst of trouble. No nepotism there! In Psalm 46, God is described as being an 'ever-present help in trouble'. What does this tell us? The trouble will come, but in the hurricane, God will be our unwavering help. This was true even for our God-in-flesh Saviour, so how much more for us? Troubles, therefore, are an opportunity for us to see God's help more clearly. Are you troubled? May this focus your vision on the presence and help of our God who will never, never, never leave us nor forsake us. 
   
In Him,