Where is God When Terror Strikes and Evil Abounds?

The question arises in the hearts of people around the world when evil atrocities continue to occur, “Where is God When Terror Strikes and Evil Abounds?”  We feel the horror of the attacks in Paris, England, and those we witnessed in San Bernardino, Orlando, and New York.  Yet, those remain only the tip of the iceberg compared to all the attacks perpetrated by radical hatred.  Yes, Evil Abounds throughout our world leading to terrorist strikes, violent protests, anger, hatred, and fear.  So, once more we ask where is God when terror Strikes and Evil Abounds?

Was this not also the cry of Habakkuk in Chapter 1?

How long, O Lord, must I call for help?
    But you do not listen!
“Violence is everywhere!” I cry,
    but you do not come to save…
Wherever I look,
    I see destruction and violence.
I am surrounded by people
    who love to argue and fight.
 The law has become paralyzed,
    and there is no justice in the courts.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous,
    so that justice has become perverted. (Verses 2-4 NLT)

TERROR STRUCK AND EVIL SURROUNDED

Because Israel had turned to worshiping idols, ignored God’s laws while seeking self aggrandizing pleasures, and literally abandoned their faith; God allowed an evil nation to rise up against them.  God did so to awaken His people to open their eyes before they would self destruct; because of their own sin.  God’s response?

He tells Habakkuk throughout chapter two of days to come and instructs him to be patient; because, God will fulfill all that He has purposed.  One day, “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.”  One day, God’s justice will reign upon the earth in perfect righteousness.  Furthermore, evil and terror will reign no more; because, God will cast Satan and all his followers into eternal damnation.  Who are Satan’s followers? All those who chose selfish exaltation over God’s gracious gift of salvation through His son, Jesus Christ. 

WHY NOT NOW?

God hold’s His mighty hand of Justice steady; awaiting one more person to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior; because,  He loves that person so much!  He endures the evil, the angry self exalting people who malign His name and those who even perpetrate heinous terror while falsely proclaiming His Name in vain.

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;
Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand,
And the things to come hasten upon them. Deuteronomy 32: 35

Oh, Lord we cry out: “Why not now Lord?” Paul gives us the clue to that response; reminding us of the response already given.

 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,  and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,  even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

So, the question becomes: which will you be? A vessel of wrath choosing to refuse His Grace, His Love, and His Gift of Salvation or will you bow humbly before Almighty God, seeking His Will, desiring His presence in your life.  In order for you or I to fully grasp the fullness of His Glory, the splendor of His righteousness, the might of His Just Sovereign rule; we needed to understand evil as well.  I wrote this poem a while back and hope you find some comfort in its truths.

WHEN TERROR STRIKES

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

When terror strikes from every side

Inciting fear in every heart

When all I see is torn apart

How can I Lord in You abide?

And rest in peace upon they word

With all the hate and sorrow heard

From wretched men, so filled with pride

I need a place in which to hide

 

I turn and lift my eyes toward You

To search the dark, to understand

How can this be as You have planned?

When all the world seems so askew

By evil hearts so filled with sin

It’s hard to see Your love will win

When selfish hearts themselves pursue

Destruction, death and pain ensue

 

As I gazed there shone forth a light

And reaching forth a steady hand

That held at bay hell’s death command

With sovereign power and such might

It is Grace alone that bids you wait

While justice bids man’s final fate

That one more broken heart contrite

With blinded eyes to then find sight

 

Oh, Lord, please help me understand

That the same love that bore the cross

Is Your love for us when we face loss

That Grace holds firm Your Mighty hand

That every kindness we have known

Is proof Your grace for us is shown

For Justice would itself demand

That darkness, death consume our land

 

So, help me Lord to be a light

To spread your word where e’er I go

Your love, your hope, your joy to show

Your gospel truth to then take flight

Transforming hearts that one by one

They seek and find your precious son

That then your Glory shine so bright

Beams of Grace in the dark of night

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

When terror and evil surrounds us; God cries forth to each living person who don’t know Him, “Come and drink from the fountain of eternal life; before it is too late.”  None of us know when our life will end; yet, we have this moment to choose who we will follow.  Furthermore, beyond His calling the sinners to repentance; He is also calling His Followers to exam their own lives, bow in repentance and seek His will through prayer. Therefore, as for me and my house, I choose to follow Jesus; while remaining in steadfast prayer for our nation and our world.  As Habakkuk proclaimed:

I will wait quietly for the coming day
    when disaster will strike the people who invade us.
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights.

Habakkuk 3: 16-19 (NLT)

If you don’t know how to accept Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, email me by clicking here or comment here

Concluding tweets

[tweetthis]When terror strikes & evil surrounds us; turn to seek God’s face of Grace[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”God steadies His Righteous Hand of Final Justice awaiting 1 more soul to accept His gift of Grace!” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”Because God loves, He waits for one more soul to find salvation. Are you that one?” username=”effiedarlene”]

This is an original Drawing by an amazing artist. Check out his work: http://roninron.com .

You cannot copy or duplicate this picture without permission; because of copyright laws.

 

featured photograph at beginning of post by permission of Copyright: ximagination / 123RF Stock Photo

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.