What kind of God?

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John 3:16

For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life.

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Sometimes we have this thought in our head after the news story breaks about some abuse, violence, greed, or unthinkable atrocity: What kind of God let's this kind of suffering happen?  What kind of God lets mothers be abused to the point of taking their own lives?  What kind of God lets the vulnerable be taken advantage of, abused or treated inhumanely?  Or, the most troubling for us, what kind of God lets children be molested, beaten senseless, raped, abandoned, and even killed?

After a particularly brutal morning report I asked the same questions, and then God sent several verses my way, and I decided that I wanted to share some thoughts on what kind of God.

So, here is my take on what kind of God would let this happen?

1. The same kind of God who stood outside the tomb weeping and crying for Lazarus, knowing that he never intended life to be like this.
2. The same kind of God who touched lepers with tender compassion, touched a widows dead son, healed the sick, and fed the hungry.
3. The same kind of God who would walk dusty streets dealing with mobs, murderers, thieves, prostitutes, and bumbling followers without losing his cool and all while living with love and kindness.
4. The same kind of God who would send His Only, Holy, blameless,  righteous, and glorious Son to die for the sins of the whole world.
5. The same kind of God who intends to come back in power and might, victory and triumph and judge the sins of the wicked, wipe the tears of the righteous, and invite His children into an everlasting banquet.
6. The same kind of God who invites sinner and "saint" alike to freely come to him and receive the forgiveness they so desperately want, desperately need, and have no ability to earn.  
7. The same kind of God who "by grace" saves us "through faith" and genuinely and graciously invites everyone to freely come and receive the gift of life.
8. The same kind of God who created everything, and created mankind in His own image.
9. The same kind of God who wants nothing more than to save us, love us, and end all suffering and pain.
10. The same kind of God who saved this sinner and countless others.

Truthfully, we all need to be reminded that God has no desire to see the suffering of mankind, the death of innocence, and the prevalence of wickedness in our present world.  And He has done something about our fallen condition and fallen world by sending Christ.

God is still actively doing something about it through the body of believers, the body of believers in the church, and the witnesses who testify to the truth of the Gospel.

And God has promised that He will once again do something about it in the end.  In the end He will make all things right, all things beautiful, and all things new.  He will once again declare that everything is "good" and "very good".  

Hold fast to the God who loves the world more than the world will ever know, fathom, realize, or appreciate.   And ask the Holy, righteous, just, merciful, gracious, amazing, eternal, forgiving, Sovereign, Loving, mighty, everlasting, powerful, saving, redeeming, and Only God to help your hands, heart, head and feet to be a part of His transforming work and plan for redemption. And thank God for His power to work all things out for the ultimate good.

I dare you to believe that God is who He says He is, and that He can do all He says that He can do. If only you will believe!

God, rescue us from this fallen world.  We are your sheep and you are our Shepherd!

When evil strikes, prevail on our behalf and for your great glory.  

Now, and in the end restore the world with love and joy.  Amen.