My first thought on hearing the news of the horrific tragedy in Toronto, was ‘not again’. My mind cannot even fathom the idea that someone would intentionally run down a crowd of unsuspecting and innocent pedestrians on a section of the busiest street in our nation’s largest city. Beyond the revulsion that we experience, ‘how could anyone do such a thing’? our hearts break for the unimaginable loss being experienced--in a heart-beat, so many lives have been impacted, changed forever. This sense of loss is only compounded by the recent bus crash in Saskatchewan.
Having lived in the Toronto area for many years and knowing that section of the city--our kids where all born a block away from the scene of Monday’s van attack and our oldest daughter spend a year a school in that same area—I, like so many, find this senseless act to be deeply troubling. Toronto really is one of the safest cities in the world, but the events from two days ago leaves us all feeling a little more vulnerable.
Earlier this year as we talked about the sovereignty of God, I wrote…the truth of God’s sovereignty raises question and at times troubles us, particularly as we wrestle with the consequences of living in a fallen world; the presence of evil, the tragedies and atrocities and injustices we see all around us...I understand how deeply we feel the tension of seeking to hold on in faith while sometimes wondering why did this have to happen?
So, what do we do? How do we make any sense of this? How do we respond to those who ask, where is God in the midst of all this?
We understand, there are no easy answers; we are not immune to the consequences of living in a fallen world; there is evil all around us and the further southbound our society falls, the greater the likelihood we will be touched by these kinds of atrocities. The presence of evil does not in any way negate the love and concern our Sovereign God has for this world and while we may not find satisfactory answers to these deep and troubling matters we can yet find in our God a source of refuge and strength.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
Where is God? He is present with those who are sorrowing, with those who are confused and fearful, with those who feel weak and vulnerable. He is the God who sees and the God who cares, who abides with us in our pain and suffering, who is able to bring us to a place of peace and rest, even when the storm rages around us. And He invites us to come to Him: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
I say to you again, What’s the alternative? Where else can we turn? If God is not in control, who is?
So…As for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. (Psalm 73:28)
PRAY FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS TRADEGY
Having lived in the Toronto area for many years and knowing that section of the city--our kids where all born a block away from the scene of Monday’s van attack and our oldest daughter spend a year a school in that same area—I, like so many, find this senseless act to be deeply troubling. Toronto really is one of the safest cities in the world, but the events from two days ago leaves us all feeling a little more vulnerable.
Earlier this year as we talked about the sovereignty of God, I wrote…the truth of God’s sovereignty raises question and at times troubles us, particularly as we wrestle with the consequences of living in a fallen world; the presence of evil, the tragedies and atrocities and injustices we see all around us...I understand how deeply we feel the tension of seeking to hold on in faith while sometimes wondering why did this have to happen?
So, what do we do? How do we make any sense of this? How do we respond to those who ask, where is God in the midst of all this?
We understand, there are no easy answers; we are not immune to the consequences of living in a fallen world; there is evil all around us and the further southbound our society falls, the greater the likelihood we will be touched by these kinds of atrocities. The presence of evil does not in any way negate the love and concern our Sovereign God has for this world and while we may not find satisfactory answers to these deep and troubling matters we can yet find in our God a source of refuge and strength.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
Where is God? He is present with those who are sorrowing, with those who are confused and fearful, with those who feel weak and vulnerable. He is the God who sees and the God who cares, who abides with us in our pain and suffering, who is able to bring us to a place of peace and rest, even when the storm rages around us. And He invites us to come to Him: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
I say to you again, What’s the alternative? Where else can we turn? If God is not in control, who is?
So…As for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. (Psalm 73:28)
PRAY FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS TRADEGY
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