God in Times of Sorrow

Now that Easter is over, I had been planning on resuming devotions on Jesus' five discourses in Matthew. I had even written some of them.

But with the world still in a scary place right now, I thought it might be better to spend some time with what to expect from God in times like these. Where is God when we are hurting? How does God comfort us? How are we called to be comfort to others? Let's spend the rest of April sitting 
with these questions.



And remember that I am with you alway, to the end of the age. ~ Matthew 28:20b


Fortunately, it is the nature of our God to go straight into, and through, the hardest stuff. So that when we do get there, we know we are not alone. ~ UCC author and pastor, Tony Robinson




Where is God?

Is that the most asked question that there is when we are suffering? When we are scared?

Where is God during this health crisis we face?

Is it comforting or not to read Jesus' words in Matthew? Does knowing Jesus is there no matter what help us, or make us ask: "Oh,yeah? Well why can't I see you?"

Does Jesus know what we are actually facing?

As we are now in the Easter season, and just coming off of Holy Week, we do get some idea as to what it is that Jesus knows about us and our troubles.

We don't have a God who hasn't felt pain. Who hasn't suffered. Who doesn't know the depth of our despair.

We have a God who walked through that pain and despair. 

And one who continues to do so. Is present with us IN the suffering.

Is present in the hands of healthcare workers putting their own lives at risk to save strangers.

Is present in the dedication of underpaid grocery store employees who make sure we have food available to us.

Is present in truck drivers who bring that food and other supplies to us over hundreds of miles - often without being able to stop to eat along the way.

Or delivery drivers also at high risk and with low pay. 

God is at work all over the place. Not promising that we won't feel pain or fear or or suffering.

But instead God promises presence and understanding.

We have a God who knows us and our despair.

Always.


Prayer: Hosanna! Save us! Help us, O Lord! Amen



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