Triumph And Tragedy - Where Is God?

Triumphant and Tragedy- Where is God?

Past week- nation experienced triumphant/tragedy.

After more than 34 yrs of court-allowed abortion on demand- at any time, for any reason- the Supreme Court of the United States has upheld a ban on an abortion procedure. (Center for Reclaiming America)

Specifically they declared the 2003 ban on partial-birth abortion is constitutional- now illegal in US.

Sen. Reid/Clinton/Obama- declared- infringement on- constitutional rights of a woman to kill her baby.

Partial-birth abortion involves delivering a baby feet-first, so that the head remains in the birth canal. The doctor then punctures the skull and suctions out the brain, allowing delivery of a dead baby.

Thomas Jefferson- all people are endowed by their Creator with an inalienable right to life- (fetus).

No question- life begins at conception.

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. (Psa 139:13, NASU)

As exciting as this victory is- over-shadowed by the tragedy that took place on- Virginia Tech campus.

Gunman walked into Virginia Tech- opened fire on students/professors- killing 32 plus himself.

Italy’s leftist Il Manifesto newspaper said the shooting was "as American as apple pie" ...

Is it purely an American problem?

Many questions arise … If God is perfect/all-powerful, why does He allow evil?

Experts/media- focus on the mental, emotional health.

Never get to the root issue- the sinful nature of man.

It is man’s fallen nature, apart from God, that allows demonic forces to oppress and direct his life.

Murderer- not merely troubled- under the influence of demonic forces because of his fallen nature.

Rick Joyner- interesting comment on the situation …

The Lord obviously allowed this to happen … we can be confident that this was not His will, and the Lord would not have allowed this to happen if we had not allowed it.

He does not mean that any one individual is responsible for what happened at Virginia Tech.

However, consider this verse …

The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, But the earth He has given to the sons of men. (Psa 115:16, NASU)

Genesis- man was created like God to rule the earth.

God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth." (Gen 1:26, MSG)

Rick Joyner …

There is no true authority w/o responsibility.

Things like this happen, not because God wants them to happen, but because of the fallen nature of man.

In a world that does not acknowledge God, sin, empowered by- demonic, often rules (has its way).

The church, those with a correct understanding and relationship w/God, have a responsibility to pray

that God’s will in heaven will be done on earth.

Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. (Mtt 6:9-10, NKJV).

The Bible says …

He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father … (Rev 1:6, NASU)

The typical role of a priest- intercede for his people.

You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 2:5, NASU)

The church must learn to …

intercede on behalf of our world,

stand against demonic activity, and ask God to

establish His Kingdom in the hearts of men.

John Tyler, after death of William Henry Harrison …

When a Christian people feel themselves to be overtaken by a great public calamity, it becomes them to humble themselves under the dispensation of Divine Providence, to recognize His righteous government over the children of men, to acknowledge His goodness in time past, as well as their own unworthiness, and to supplicate His merciful protection for the future.

(no attacks since 9/11/2001- prayer- acknowledge God’s goodness- be thankful- Psa 100:4-5)

In times of personal/national trauma, we can take to heart the words of Isaiah …

When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. (Isa 59:19, NKJV)

Last week- morning prayer- felt God wanted to release truth into the hearts of the people of COTR.

and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (Jn 8:32, NASU)

Satan- father of lies and he deceives people, as in the case of the young man who killed at Virginia Tech.

He can convince us that doing evil is good.

(It is alright- sleep w/girl friend- I love her)

Rick Joyner said this- referencing Isa 59:19 …

If this is true, then we can also expect great truths to be released from the Lord with the power to counter any lie of the devil.