Where was God?
Where was God when ____________ ?
Isn’t that the question every human being asks.
It is a question that we ask in so many different circumstances. Even the question itself finds numerous forms of expression. If you haven’t yet asked this question you will, if not today then tomorrow.
The Widow
Elijah has prophesied there will be a drought. God has eventually sent him to a widow in Zarephath, Sidon. God has provided for Elijah the widow and her son. Whilst everyone else is experiencing famine they have been miraculously provided for. Even in a situation like that – the question can arise.
A shift in the balance of one’s life brings the underlying tension to the surface. Her son dies.
1 Kings 17:18 [18] And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” (ESV)
The Gospel According to Thanos
I call this the Gospel according to Thanos. Some of us know where God is, we have this deep fear present. We see God as Thanos…
‘Dredd it, run from it, Destiny comes about just the same.’ – Thanos
This Widow is aware of who God is, that God is good. She has known all along that she is not good. An underlying tension of joy and fear has been present all along. She has been so delighted to experience the provision of God. Whilst knowing the whole time her sin could be “remembered” and this could all slip away.
God reveals something wonderful to us in this passage. Elijah does not deny what she has said is true, he doesn’t say, ‘no way you’re a great person.’ He is filled with compassion and asks the Lord to restore life to her boy. God does.
Ressurection
This story points us all to an even more important story – the resurrection. We all lose loved ones, it is a matter of time until we end up saying goodbye. We feel that people can be taken from us too soon. But when is the right time? The widow received her son back, but we have not received back our loved ones. But – we will, the comfort in the Gospels is not that a few signs were performed. It is not even that those signs can be repeated today – they can. God does. The comfort in the Gospel is there will be a time when we will receive back those that we love and that they will receive us back.
Where is God in such loss? He is right there, He is also preparing a place for them, for us. It is a gift for us to receive, all because of Jesus.
The Widow was aware of where God was, but now she is more aware of who God is. May we encounter His grace in your loss and hurt. May we all remember there is a day, where we can embrace those that have loved and lost again. All because of Jesus.
Be Our Guest
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