DEALING WITH TRAGEDY
GOD’S WAY
The word tragedy is used in many different ways today.
The frequent and varied use of the word has taken some of
its power of use away. It’s considered a tragedy by a
teenage girl who does not make the cheerleading squad. But,
it is considered a tragedy when more than 100,000 people are
killed by a tsunami produced by an earthquake. What I
want you to consider with me is that the key to dealing with
tragedy is to properly define it. And, I want us to know
that there are two basic ways to define a tragedy: (1) the
world’s way, and (2) God’s way. I will give brief
explanations of both, and then spend our remaining time
looking at tragedy through God’s eyes, through His Word.
I) TRAGEDY BRIEFLY DEFINED
A) Webster’s Dictionary defines it as "a
dramatic, unhappy, often disastrous event, esp. one of moral
significance." HyperDictionary.com defines it as
"an event resulting in great loss and misfortune."
Some synonyms for the word tragedy are: calamity, cataclysm,
catastrophe, or disaster.
B) The Bible does not use the English word
"tragedy." The Bible uses the words calamity,
disaster, and trouble to describe events of great personal
and national loss.
C) Before getting into what God’s Word has to
say about calamity, etc., let us consider the usual
responses to tragedy. Whether you have personally
experienced a tragedy or observed a tragedy, what is the
usual response? Some wonder what in the world could God
possibly be up to? The sad thing is that, too often, in
tragedy hope is lost, but we who know Christ as Savior are
not without hope. As a matter of fact, we ought to be filled
with realistic, and eternal hope. Now, I want to turn our
attention to some observations from God’s Word as it
relates to "calamity."
II) SOME OBSERVATIONS FROM GOD’S WORD
A) God’s Word gives us the realistic, and
eternal hope that we need to face whatever may come our way,
personally or nationally.
1) First, I think it is important to note that God
has many purposes in the tragedies (calamities). These
purposes relate to us as persons, as communities, and as
nations. The problem that we face in light of this is
discerning which it might be. It is wise, I believe, to seek
understanding of tragedies (calamities), first, from a
personal standpoint, and then move outward–to the
community, and then to the nations. In other words, we
should start by asking the question "What should I
learn or do in light of the tragedy?" It is too easy to
look at what God may be saying to others, while neglecting
what He is saying to us. To point this out consider with me Luke
13:1-5. God has a purpose in tragedy: the personal
examination of our lives against God’s Holy standard
resulting in repentance. So, when tragedies come, let us
take a look at our own lives in light of God’s call to
salvation and holy living.
2) Second, yet an overarching principle, God is
not an uninterested bystander, nor is He caught off-guard or
by surprise in the midst of tragedies/calamities. People are
wont to ask, "Where was God?" Let’s consider a
number of passages to help us answer the question. We must
answer it from the Bible, not from our emotions or thoughts,
but actually as the Bible teaches us. Let’s consider the
following: 1 Kings 14:10; 2 Kings 21:12; 2 Chronicles
21:14; Isaiah 45:7 (a key passage in understanding our
subject); Jeremiah 19:15; 36:3; Amos 3:6; Jonah 3:10; 4:2.
As you hear these, what is the common element throughout?
Who is the author of calamity? God.
a) An important question to ask at this time is
why would God bring about calamity/tragedy? We note that the
primary purpose is judgment upon sin. Much of this is
related to our first point. Let’s pay attention to just a
couple of the passages noted already cf. Jeremiah 19:15;
44:23 (note calamity came as a result of sinning against
the Lord, not obeying God’s Word); Daniel 9:13;
Jeremiah 36:3 (calamity comes as a means to lead folks
to repentance). God’s purpose in calling us to repentance
is to save us, and then to cause us to grow. We cannot grow
until we repent of our sin. So we must see calamity through
God’s perspective. It is a means to bring some to faith in
Christ, while for the Christian it is a means of growth
(progressive sanctification), and for the unbeliever a means
of just judgment for refusing to obey the gospel of Christ.
Greater calamity awaits those who do not know Christ as
Savior. The greatest tragedy to befall anyone is to refuse
God’s grace offered in the person and work of Jesus
Christ. To ignore or refuse to come to faith in Christ when
calamity provides an opportunity is a great tragedy. We have
a message to share! God will relent of His ultimate
calamity–casting of the unbeliever into the lake of fire (Revelation
20:14-15)–for those who come to Christ as Savior cf.
Jonah 3:10; 4:2. My friends, we do not need to second
guess God. God’s Word gives us clear teaching regarding
His purpose in bringing calamities into His world. Now we
come to ...
III) A GOD-HONORING RESPONSE TO TRAGEDY
A) Some key principles to keep in mind as we
minister to others in the face of tragedy.
1) Romans 8:28-29, 35-39; 1 Corinthians 10:13. God
has a purpose in every trial (calamity) a believer
faces–our good and our conformity to the image of Christ.
And, no matter what is going on in our world, we live by
Christ’s sustaining love! We need to know that our trials
are not strangers, but visitors from the Lord. He delivers
us through our trials as He did Daniel’s three friends.
2) Deuteronomy 29:29. We must give our full
attention to the clear teachings of Scripture, not to mere
speculation.
3) 1 Peter 1:6-9. God uses our trials to
strengthen our faith, with the ultimate goal being that we
praise, glorify, and honor Jesus Christ.
4) 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. God comforts us in our
trials, if we will let Him, so that we are prepared to
comfort others in their trials. We must see that it is not
just about us as we face trials/calamities.
5) Galatians 6:2. Trials (calamities) are for
sharing. As I once heard, when you share a blessing you
double it, and when you share a burden you cut it in two.
6) It is also an opportunity to reach out in
tangible ways to help meet the needs of others ... near or
far.
B) A couple biblical examples to consider of those
who dealt with tragedy/calamity.
1) Job
2) Naomi and Ruth
C) A historical example to consider.
