Where is God?

As most of you know, this past week in the United States has been an extremely difficult one. With Hurricane Katrina hitting the Gulf Coast, and most notably, New Orleans, questions abound and anger is kindled. Why did it take so long to get aid to those people, why did lawlessness prevail, where was God in all this? The answer to the first two questions will have to be answered over time, but we can take a look at the third one right now. Where was God? Why would he do this or allow it to happen. Some people would say, because New Orleans was such a sinful place, this came to pass. I don’t agree with that. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? If there had been 5 righteous people God would have spared it, and I’m pretty sure, that New Orleans had more than that. So why then did this happen? First of all we live in an imperfect world. When sin came into the world through Adam and Eve, Sickness, storms, evil behavior, and death came into the world with it. God lets man have free will to make those decisions. So living in an imperfect, sin infected world, we have catastrophes, death tolls, sickness and all that accompany it. But if we look closely, we can see God at work even now. Christians showing the love of God to their hurting neighbors, God's people helping meet the needs of a nation in dire need. We must step up in times like this and show God's love, meet the needs, console the broken hearted. Jesus said I have come to heal the broken hearted. Now, I have never been in a situation like these people are in, so I cant say I understand how they feel, but I can say, if I were in that situation with them, I would want to know someone loved me. Someone cared for me, someone was there to offer me a hand up. I know resources are tight right now for all of us; I couldn’t help out even close as much as I wanted to, so I gave what I could and expect Jesus to multiply it to meet the need. I encourage you in the Lord, to give of yourself, your money, your time, be a volunteer if you can or God is calling you. Bless these people in His name that they might see his great love at work in their lives, and that God cares for them and their wellbeing. Lord we pray that you provide to have the needs met of these people. Show them you love in a great way. Work miracles; show wonders that they may know you are God. Provide for their long term care also Lord, that they can become established in you. In Jesus Name Amen.