God in effect – God in affect Part 1
Blogging buddy E. Barrett of R3, wrote a post titled: “God’s sovereign reign”’, which serves as a catalyst for me to write today’s post. The primary point I would like to focus on is a thought E. Barrett relays in his post…
One of my pet peeves is the phrase, “God’s sovereign reign.” I can’t stand it when people start using that phrase. Now I believe that God is in control. And I believe that he’s the boss (not Tony Danza). So in theory I have nothing against this phrase. The problem is, when someone says, “God’s sovereign reign” what they really mean is “God just caused that bad thing to happen.” (emphasis mine)
It occurs to me that one reason that we may have a problem with this thought of God causing calamity(bad things to happen) is that we tend to look at it through our eyes instead of trying to gauge the situation from a Godly perspective. Knowing that the loving God that you worship is also one that “causes calamity” may be a hard pill to swallow if, we don’t consider within that idea, God’s character and nature in handling wickedness. For instance, recall what God proclaimed to King David through Nathan for the transgressions that David committed against God…
2nd Samuel 12:7-13
”’’… 11 “This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’ ”13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.”
Now - I don’t mean to muddle the context of David’s sins and the consequences of such with those of the recent earthquake in Haiti, nor past events such as Hurricane Katrina because there are several differences to consider (more on that at a later time perhaps). So as E. Barrett points out in his post that he doesn’t buy into some folks claiming that “God caused such and such to happen” I agree… to an extent.
Let us begin with the presumed idea that God sits in heaven just itching to punish humans anytime we sin. This thought is not accurate however, when we go back through the Old Testament and 
see how God led Israel to the promised land in spite of their sins. Yes, there were consequences of their sins; and perhaps it seems harsh, however we should consider that the Jews had God there with them ie; he manifested His presence to His chosen people.
You’ve probably heard the argument/objection.. “If God exists, why is there evil in the world?” . As if the mere utterance of the statement is somehow a valid and logical argument for refuting God and His existence. That’s like asking the following while sitting in a dark closet.. “If light exists, why is it dark in here?” But to get back on track with the point to be made, in a like wise manner maybe we need to consider that in His reign, perhaps God does “cause bad things to happen’ when He exercises His will to not intervene, thus allowing nature, physical laws and the nature of man to run their respective courses.
Colossians 1:15-17
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Grace and peace be with you.
