We often try to distance God from troubled times, but…

We often try to distance God from troubled times, but God Himself does not.

Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass,
Unless the Lord has commanded it?
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
That both good and ill go forth?
[Lamentations 3:37-38]

Is a trumpet blown in a city,
and the people are not afraid?
Does disaster come to a city,
unless the Lord has done it?
[Amos 3:6]

If God were distant from these times, that would be terrifying.

I’m so glad He is not, because it means He will bring these times into submission to two principles:

First, His overarching good purposes – “Him who works ALL THINGS according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11)

Second, your good – “And we know that for those who love God ALL THINGS work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28).

This is the solid assurance we have as Christians in a fallen, chaotic world.

“All things” includes (from Biblical references), the falling of sparrows, the rolling of dice, the decisions of Kings, the failing of sight, the loss and gain of money, the suffering of saints, the completion of travel plans, the gift of faith, the pursuit of holiness, persecution, sickness, repentance of souls, the growth of believers, the giving of life and the taking of it in death… for starters…

But it also includes the privation, rejection, torture, and execution of Christ.

So, remember this: It does not matter how far down you go into troubled times and suffering – God Himself has been down deeper.

He is not only truly with you in trouble, fully empathising with you by His own experience, but He is at the same time sovereign over all, bringing it all into eternal submission to His plans, for your good.

So… There is really no need to distance God from that which He does not distance Himself.