My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me
Posted by Ray Norris on 14 January, 2010
Category General
Jesus repeated these words from the Psalm 22 as he hung on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me...." I think we can all understand why someone, or a group of people such as those in Haiti, might also echo those words during times of such horrible tragedy. In the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, where 80 per cent of the people do not have clean drinking water and where the vast majority live on less than $2 per day, I for one could understand such cries to God in light of this devasting earthquake. Would it not be natural to wonder where God is? Why has God allowed this? Why God have you forsaken me? Sure it's natural and normal. In this country we heard such cries following the tragic events of September 11. When people were jumping from their offices in the Twin Towers, when people were trapped under tons of rubble as a result of those terrorist attacks, could we not understand such cries of hopelessness and abandonment? Of course we could, especially in light of the fact that Jesus, from the cross at about the 9th hour cried out to God with those very same words.
While that is a normal and understandable human response to such a tragedy, let me make one thing very clear. Obviously God did not abandon Jesus, God's only Son. God did not abandon those trapped in the World Trade Center, or those who crashed into the Pentagon or in the Pennsylvania field. And God has not abandoned the people of Haiti. While God does not always prevent disasters, God is very much present in them. God was in the stairways and offices of the WTC. God was aboard the airplanes. And God is with the people of Haiti. Could God prevent these tragedies? Scripture tells us that nothing is impossible for God. Yet, just because God does not always stop something bad from happening doesn't mean He doesn't care. There is not now, nor has there ever been, a person who God did not create. God never said, "Let us create man in our image." That is all inclusive. All persons are creations of God, even this old sinner. And there has never been a person God did not love with all of his heart.
In an interview following the tragedy in Haiti, A US evangelical preacher has laid the blame for the devastating earthquake on the Haitians themselves, saying the country "swore a pact to the devil" to escape French rule in the 18th century. You can Google for yourself to see who said that, but nothing has ever been further from the truth. As Franklin Graham said, "God loves the people of Haiti."
In fact, one of the great pillars of our faith is John 3:16, "God so loved the world...." God hates sin, but God never hates the person. Twas grace that saved a wretch like me. That's what grace is, it is God's love being poured out into our hearts even when we don't deserve it...especially then.
So, two things here. First, God does not create disaster and tragedy to punish us for some sin. Second, God loves us and weeps for us when we are suffering. The people of Haiti did not do anything to so anger God that he brought this about. Just doesn't happen that way. I said Wednesday night to a group that I believe this is a time when we will see humanity at it's best. We will see such support in terms of dollar, prayers and volunteerism that the hearts of the world will, at least for a time, be united and will beat as one. Our founder of Methodism, John Wesley, once said, "If your heart beats as mine, then take my hand." I want to join in inviting you to join your hands and hearts with people around the corner and around the block in coming to the aid of our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Honestly, what is needed most right now are prayers and money. Let's all pray without ceasing and let those of us who can support the relief efforts even if it's only a dollar in the special offering Sunday. United Methodist's are proud of our own relief organization UMCOR, but whether you choose this agency or another, please help.
Blessings,
Pastor Ray
While that is a normal and understandable human response to such a tragedy, let me make one thing very clear. Obviously God did not abandon Jesus, God's only Son. God did not abandon those trapped in the World Trade Center, or those who crashed into the Pentagon or in the Pennsylvania field. And God has not abandoned the people of Haiti. While God does not always prevent disasters, God is very much present in them. God was in the stairways and offices of the WTC. God was aboard the airplanes. And God is with the people of Haiti. Could God prevent these tragedies? Scripture tells us that nothing is impossible for God. Yet, just because God does not always stop something bad from happening doesn't mean He doesn't care. There is not now, nor has there ever been, a person who God did not create. God never said, "Let us create man in our image." That is all inclusive. All persons are creations of God, even this old sinner. And there has never been a person God did not love with all of his heart.
In an interview following the tragedy in Haiti, A US evangelical preacher has laid the blame for the devastating earthquake on the Haitians themselves, saying the country "swore a pact to the devil" to escape French rule in the 18th century. You can Google for yourself to see who said that, but nothing has ever been further from the truth. As Franklin Graham said, "God loves the people of Haiti."
In fact, one of the great pillars of our faith is John 3:16, "God so loved the world...." God hates sin, but God never hates the person. Twas grace that saved a wretch like me. That's what grace is, it is God's love being poured out into our hearts even when we don't deserve it...especially then.
So, two things here. First, God does not create disaster and tragedy to punish us for some sin. Second, God loves us and weeps for us when we are suffering. The people of Haiti did not do anything to so anger God that he brought this about. Just doesn't happen that way. I said Wednesday night to a group that I believe this is a time when we will see humanity at it's best. We will see such support in terms of dollar, prayers and volunteerism that the hearts of the world will, at least for a time, be united and will beat as one. Our founder of Methodism, John Wesley, once said, "If your heart beats as mine, then take my hand." I want to join in inviting you to join your hands and hearts with people around the corner and around the block in coming to the aid of our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Honestly, what is needed most right now are prayers and money. Let's all pray without ceasing and let those of us who can support the relief efforts even if it's only a dollar in the special offering Sunday. United Methodist's are proud of our own relief organization UMCOR, but whether you choose this agency or another, please help.
Blessings,
Pastor Ray